Job ID: 118960

Postdoctoral position – combined optical imaging and fMRI in the Mouse Brain

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 10 June 2024

Employment Start Date: 1 August 2024

Contract Length: 2 years renewable up to 6

City: Rovereto

Country: Italy

Institution: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Department: Gozzi Lab - Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory

Description:

The Gozzi laboratory, at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (www.iit.it) is looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join its neuroscience team (www.fnimg.iit.it), in Rovereto, Italy.

Research at the Gozzi lab is aimed at understanding how the brain works as an integrated network, and how patterns of coordinated brain activity respond to internal and external input. The Gozzi lab addressed these questions by combining causal neural manipulations in rodents with functional MRI, multimodal recordings, and cutting-edge neuro-computational approaches.

The goal of this project is to design, implement and conduct concurrent measurement of fMRI and widefield optical imaging in the mouse. This work will be carried out in Rovereto (Italy), with key input by Prof. Evelyn Lake, at Yale University (USA). For research relevant to this position, please see Lake et al., (2022) Nature Methods. Technical help from onsite experts in design of advanced optical technologies will be provided.

This research is funded by the European Research Council (ERC, #Brainamics), and it is ultimately aimed at understanding how endogenous and exogenous neuromodulation controls the functional organization and dynamics of brain network.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • A PhD degree in Neuroscience, Neuroengineereing or equivalent
  • Prior hands-on experience in experimental neuroscience methods in vivo 
  • The applicant is required to be the first-author of at least on published preprint or article

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Proficiency in coding languages commonly used in image analysis, such as Python, R, or MATLAB will be highly valued
  • Prior experience with the use of complex optical setups would be a plus
  • Knowledge of brain imaging techniques (e.g., functional MRI, widefield optical imaging) and concepts in systems neuroscience is a plus
  • Motivation to pursue a career in academic research will be considered a preferential quality

The IIT center in Rovereto is located in Trentino, a region of Northern Italy nestled in the Dolomite Mountains, offering spectacular natural beauty, vibrant culture and exceptional quality of life.

Please submit your application to alessandro.gozzi@iit.it including a detailed CV, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications) and contact details of 2 references.