Working place: The Paris-Saclay Neuroscience Institute Missions: The Paris-Saclay Neuroscience Institute is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to develop in vivo 2-photon imaging and optogenetic stimulation of the brain of larval Drosophila melanogaster.
Project overview
We study the fundamental principles underlying associative learning by exploring the brain of the Drosophila larva, whose connectome has recently been entirely mapped from an EM volume. This 'minimalist' brain has little to no neuronal redundancy, enabling the functional study of individual neurons. Moreover, the learning circuit has a high level of recurrence (feedback loops), a feature that we are trying to probe functionally further. Using a combination of neurogenetic tools, advanced behavioral analyses, in vivo imaging and connectome mapping, the very new Eschbach lab aims at understanding how this circuit influences memory formation and decision-making.
For this project, the researcher will test how the neuronal response to reinforcing inputs (via optogenetic stimulaition or natural stimuli) changes upon memory formation, by imaging genetically encoded biosensors.
The researcher will beneficiate from all equipment on site, inlcuding two 2-photon microscopes, and Dr Eschbach will be able to train him/her on all the aspects of the project. [Motivation is more important than experience!]
The salary is supported by an ATIP-Avenir grant for 2 years, the position can start as early as January 2024. Qualifications: - PhD in neuroscience or related field
- Motivated to challenge the theoretical framework of reinforcement learning
- Thrilled by multi-scale approaches (neuron -> circuit -> behavior)
- Some skills in statistics and coding
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