Research Fellow (Stephenson-Jones Lab)

Job title:

Research Fellow (Stephenson-Jones Lab)

Company

University College London

Job description

About us The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to generate perception, form memories and guide behaviour. Developed through the vision and partnership of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, and with substantial investment from these partners, the mission of the SWC is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function. The Centre will comprise around 14 highly interdisciplinary experimental research groups accommodated in a new, purpose-designed building, offering an outstanding and unparalleled research environment. SWC scientists use a broad spectrum of the latest advances in molecular and cellular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural techniques and enjoy state-of-the-art research laboratories, cutting-edge scientific equipment, technologically-advanced prototyping and fabrication laboratories and custom in-house high-performance computing facilities.About the role We are looking for an excellent postdoctoral research fellow who has experience with fiber photometry or in vivo electrophysiology to join the Stephenson-Jones Lab at the SWC.The goal of the research project is to combine theory and experiments to study how the sleeping brain is able to teach itself. The aim will be to combine large scale in vivo recording techniques such as (Neuropixel 2.0 probes) and fiber photometry recordings to understand how credit assignment works during offline mental simulations (neural replay). Novel unsupervised methods will be applied for replay detection during different stages of sleep. The overall project aims to tests several theoretical models of systems consolidation.You will plan and execute key experimental tests of theoretical predictions, together with state-of-the-art behavioural models and analysis methods. You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with theorists in the Gatsby Computational Science Unit (GCNU) and draw on the experimental resources of multiple labs at SWC and the broader neuroscience community at UCL and beyond.This post is funded until 31 October 2025 in the first instance. The Centre is externally funded with funding awarded in five-year tranches subject to periodic funder review. Subject to successful grant renewal, staff posts will be extended in line with successive funding periods.About you You will have a strong background in quantitative neuroscience, and experience with rodent behavioural training and analysis are essential.Strong quantitative skills and computer programming expertise (MATLAB or Python) are also required for this role. You will have the ability to perform large-scale electrophysiological experiments in mice across periods of awake behaviour and sleep.Strong communication skills with a collaborative approach are essential, along with the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.What we offer The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to lockers and changing facilities, secure bicycle storage, and access to pleasant outdoor spaces. The Centre also offers the full range of UCL staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement, occupational pension schemes, excellent family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay, a work-life balance policy, and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. SWC is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We stand by our commitment to positive action to improve equality and accessibility in the workplace. We will provide reasonable adjustments to enable people to work and flourish with us. SWC is proud to uphold both UCL’s Dignity at Work and Work-Life Balance policies. As Centre we commit to fostering a positive cultural climate where all staff and students can thrive and and actively support Wellbeing@UCL, UCL community, supported by our Wellbeing.

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 23:53:43 GMT

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