Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology

Warsaw, Poland

PLN 9 700 per month gross

Scope of work:

We combine a unique methodology of recording the activity of single neurons in humans with advanced analytical approaches, such as machine learning and multidimensional analyses, to better understand the neural foundations of the human cognitive system, especially Working Memory.

We are looking for great postdocs to work with us doing human intracranial recordings and to make impact on science.

In the project „The role of the Medial Temporal Lobe in Working Memory Maintenance: A Human Single-Neuron Study” our group investigates the neuronal mechanisms of working memory at the single-neuron level and aims to translate these findings into network-level understanding.

• We take advantage of rare opportunities to record neuronal activity directly in humans during the clinical implantation of devices for intracranial monitoring of drug-resistant epilepsy;
• Specifically, we focus on Medial Temporal Lobe with structures like hippocampus and amygdala, which are crucial to working memory and are main localisation of seizures in epilepsy;
• By combining single-neuron recordings with electrical stimulation and advanced computational approaches, we seek to build a comprehensive framework of the neuronal architecture underlying working memory.

This knowledge will not only deepen our understanding of the neural code of cognition but also inspire novel strategies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders characterized by working memory deficits.

The research tasks will include:

• Planning and conducting experimental work (research conducted during epilepsy monitoring);
• Data analysis (analysis of electrophysiological signal including single-unit sorting);
• Manuscript preparation;
• Supervision of PhD students.

This is a research position and does not include teaching.

Requirements:

• PhD degree, or equivalent, in, psychology, physics, neuroscience, neuorinformatics, biology or relevant, obtained not earlier than 7 years before the year of employment in the project (not including maternity leaves);
• Strong MATLAB and/or Python programing skills – signal analysis, statistics, neuronal modeling, machine learning;
• Experience in human electrophysiological research is a plus, experience in intracranial human research large plus;
• Knowledge of cognitive system is a plus, knowledge of neuronal basis of Working Memory is a large plus;
• Scientific hardware capability will be considered a plus – troubleshooting during recording sessions;
• Interpersonal skills for patient interaction and effective collaboration with medical staff and other team members;
• Exceptional motivation for the scientific research (demonstrated via publications, references of the candidate's thesis tutor);
• Knowledge of Polish is a plus (due to research with Polish population) but if you excel with other requirements we can live without it;
• It is expected that during the period of employment at the Institute, Postdoctoral Researcher will not undertake any other work.