Research assistant in systems neuroscience

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?
The position regards the lab of Marie Carlén, associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Campus Solna.

Cognition encompasses a range of brain processes underlying our mental abilities and is a prerequisite for purposeful and goal-appropriate behavior. Proper cognitive processing is thus essential to many aspects of our everyday life, but little is known about how the brain's networks encode and enable behavior relying on cognition. Cortical functioning, and particularly the functions of the prefrontal cortex are considered central to cognition. Utilizing a systems neuroscience approach the lab of Marie Carlén studies the cellular logic of information processing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The studies are mainly performed in behaving mice using large-scale electrophysiological recordings or calcium imaging of neuronal activity. Optogenetics and circuit tracing are other central technologies, as is slice electrophysiology. The lab is recognized for its discoveries on inhibitory interneurons expressing parvalbumin and their role in cortical oscillations, cognition, and behavior. For more information see: www.carlenlab.org

Your mission
Behavior, and its consequences, need to dynamically change to adapt to ever changing environmental affordances – a process described as learning. An influential theory in both neuroscience and computer science known as reinforcement learning postulates that actions with a positive outcome (e.g., reward) are reinforced, while outcomes with a negative outcome (e.g., punishment) are devalued. The neuronal basis of effective and complex learning in brain-wide circuits remains to be established. One current proposal states that the PFC through its widespread and reciprocal connectivity directs the dynamic and long-term adaptions in synaptic transmission underlying learning processes. The person we are seeking to hire will work in close collaboration with our lab members to decipher the role of the PFC in cortical learning. Neuronal signatures of learning in the mouse PFC and their transmission to downstream sensory cortical areas will be studied with large-scale calcium imaging and/or electrophysiology in behaving mice. The duties will also include viral tracing studies, animal colonies, and posthoc analysis of tissue, and more.

Your profile
We are seeking a highly motivated and creative person with a deep interest in conducting studies forwarding the understanding of the brain and with proven experience in the field of neuroscience, preferentially systems neuroscience. The work in the Carlén lab is highly collaborative and we are looking to add a team player enjoying active and close interactions with the colleagues in the research group.

Required: Education and relevant experience of basic neuroscience research in mammalian model animals (e.g., master’s degree in neuroscience or equivalent), including behavioral studies. Certification for work with research animals in accordance with Swedish and European legislations. 

Desirable: Experience of stereotaxic intracranial surgery, and recording of neuronal activity (electrophysiology and/or imaging) in behaving animals. Proficiency in programming and documented experience of advanced data analysis and visualization (Python) is highly meriting. 

Bases of assessment
We stress research expertise when assessing applicants.

What do we offer?
Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.


Location: Solna



Application
We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance withhttps://ki.se/en/about/qualifications-portfolio-for-teachers-and-researchers

Welcome to apply at the latest 20220606

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.  


Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all