Postdoctoral Fellow - P Znamenskiy lab

Postdoctoral Fellow - P Znamenskiy lab

Reporting to:
Petr Znamenskiy, Group Leader

Contact term: This is a full‑time, fixed‑term 4 year position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world‑class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, cutting‑edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher.

This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high‑quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

The Znamenskiy lab studies the relationship between the in vivo function, synaptic organization, and molecular identity of cortical neurons. We aim to understand how connections between different neuronal cell types are organized and how this organization enables the computations they perform. To do this, we combine approaches from systems and molecular neuroscience and develop new tools to relate gene expression and connectivity with the activity of cortical neurons.

This project will investigate how different cell types that make up the cortical microcircuit respond to three‑dimensional visual stimuli ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).), and how the inputs onto single depth‑selective neurons give rise to their response properties.

To accomplish this, this project, which you will lead on, will apply multiphoton calcium imaging to profile neuronal responses in virtual reality, correlative in situ sequencing to relate molecular identity of single neurons to their in vivo responses, and molecular connectomics to resolve the synaptic inputs of hundreds of neurons simultaneously ().

We are seeking candidates with a PhD in Neuroscience or a related field who bring hands‑on expertise in in vivo calcium imaging or electrophysiology, along with strong data analysis experience in Python and/or MATLAB. Candidates who combine quantitative skills with a collaborative mindset and an interest in research at the interface of systems and molecular neuroscience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Typical activities include:

• Developing project ideas and further research directions
• Designing and planning experiments
• Carrying out experimental protocols, including in vivo calcium imaging, behavioural experiments, and correlative in situ sequencing
• Keeping accurate records of experiments
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental findings
• Presenting at laboratory meetings and/or interest groups
• Reporting findings through conference presentations and manuscripts
• Assisting and/or supervising junior members of staff

You will have:

• PhD in Neuroscience or a related field or in the final stages of PhD submission*

• Strong track record of scientific contribution, as evidenced by publications, preprints, or submitted manuscripts *

• Experience in coding in Python or MATLAB*

• Experience with in vivo calcium imaging or electrophysiology

* Minimum requirement

Our values

• We are bold
  . We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.
• We are open
  . We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.
• We are collegial
  . We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are…