Postdoctoral Research Fellow; Neurobiology and Behaviour

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position, specialised in Neurobiology and Behaviour, is available in the laboratory of Professor Claudio Alonso to study the mechanisms underlying neural development and function in Drosophila. This post is available immediately until 30 June 2028 (with the possibility of an extension).

How the molecular biology of neurons relates to the development and function of neural circuits is an open question in modern neuroscience. The new Research Fellow will investigate this important problem using the latest technology in the field.

You will become a core member of the Alonso lab () interacting closely with other group members, and our UK and international collaborators. Together, we will apply the latest methodologies, including molecular biology, transcriptomics, neurogenetics, optogenetics, optical neuronal imaging, neurophysiology, microscopy and quantitative behavioural approaches to gain mechanistic understanding of the molecular underpinnings of neuronal development and physiology.

Our lab is part of the Neuroscience Department () which houses a cluster of leading labs investigating neural function in vertebrates and invertebrates, and an active member of Sussex Neuroscience () a university Centre of Excellence, that brings together a large, vibrant and interdisciplinary community of world-class neuroscientists providing an excellent collaborative setting for our research.

The successful candidate will have a degree in Biology, Neuroscience or related disciplines, and be educated to doctoral level. They will have a solid background in Neurobiology, Neurodevelopment or Behaviour, and familiarity with Drosophila genetics and behaviour. They will show evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity, have excellent communication and organisational skills, be able to set priorities and meet deadlines, and be capable to work independently – on own initiative, without close supervision – and as a team player supporting other colleagues.

In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.

The School comprises five Departments:
Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting‑edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.

We pride ourselves on our world‑leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world‑leading or internationally excellent.

We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world‑leading or internationally excellent.

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