One (1) Postdoctoral Researcher Position [PAR-0590]

19 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas

Department

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Research Field

Neurosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Greece

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Athens)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Jun 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The research group of Dr. Panayiota Poirazi under the IDEAS grant, funded by NHMRC, Australia entitled “The role of memory engrams in the cortex” invites applications for one Postdoctoral researcher who will help to determine the importance of cortical engram cells in in memory formation and storage and probe the role of cortical memory engrams in the generation and retrieval of a sensory-based memory. This project is a collaboration between the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia (Prof. L. Palmer), and the University of Dublin, Ireland (Prof. T. Ryan).

 

About the lab

The Poirazi Lab investigates how dendrites and their integrative properties contribute to learning and memory-related functions, using computational and experimental techniques. Our models explain findings and predict new roles for dendrites in functions such as spatial navigation/learning, working memory, associative memory, visual processing, etc. We also perform behavioral experiments in mice and use 2-photon imaging of prefrontal cortical neurons to investigate the cellular correlates of flexible behavior. The laboratory offers a thriving and lively research environment and is well-funded by several competitive grants.

 

About the project and position description:

The successful applicant will work on a multidisciplinary collaborative project aiming to determine the importance of cortical engram cells in memory formation and storage and probe the role of cortical memory engrams in the generation and retrieval of a sensory-based memory. The project will combine computational modeling, electrophysiology, calcium imaging techniques, and molecular and behavioral experiments. First, the biophysical properties of engrams will be identified in a cortical area of interest, and their functional role will be unraveled in vivo. Then, computational modeling will be used to determine the role of engram cells during memory recall. This project is a collaboration between the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia (Prof. L. Palmer), and the University of Dublin, Ireland (Prof. T. Ryan). The successful applicant will use computational methods (e.g., similar to Kastellakis et al., Cell Reports, 2016 or other bio-inspired machine learning approaches) to dissect the role of subcellular mechanisms in cortical engram formation.

 

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Ph.D. in computational neuroscience or a related field (e.g., machine learning, engineering, computer science, physics)
• Publication record in neuroscience, ideally including collaborative experimental-theoretical publications
• A solid programming background, ideally including machine learning skills (e.g., Python, NEURON, Linux, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Excellent oral and written skills in English language

Desired qualifications:

• Highly motivated and creative individuals willing to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to collaborate with experimental and theoretical neuroscientists

 

 

	Evaluation criteria	Maximum score
1.	Ph.D. in computational neuroscience or a related field	YES / NO
2.	Publications in Neuroscience, ideally including collaborative experimental-theoretical publications (1-2 publications = 10 points, 3-5 publications including collaborative ones = 20 points, > 5 publications including collaborative ones, 30 points)	30
3.	Programming skills (Python, NEURON, Linux, TensorFlow, PyTorch) (Python, Neuron, Linux = 10 points, Additional ML languages like TensorFlow/Pytorch 25 points)	25
4.	Excellent oral and written skills in English language (B1: 7 points, B2: 8 points, C1: 9 points, C2: 10 points)	10
5.	Interview where the following skills will be assessed: Experience in developing computational models of neuronal circuits (5 points) Experience in developing machine learning models and applying them on neuroscience problems (10 points) Organization and communication skills (10 points)	25
6.	Reference letters (Excellent: 10 points, very good: 5 points)	10
Total score	100

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Internal Application form(s) needed
Application form-en.pdf
English
(498.8 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Benefits

Contract Duration: Full Time, Fixed Term. for 1 year with the possibility of extension for 2-3 more years

Total budget: Commensurate with experience: 26k€ - 36k€ per annum (including benefits) (incl. tax and social security)

Envisaged starting date: from 1st June 2024

Deadline for the submission of applications: April 15th , 2024

Eligibility criteria

The application should consist of:

1. Application Form (see below)

2. CV

3. Brief statement of purpose

4. The names and contact details of two referees

5. Scanned copies of academic titles

6. Scanned copies proving all the qualifications

 

Submission of applications:  [email protected]

Selection process

Evaluation procedure

Applications will be evaluated by a three-member evaluation committee. In case of interview procedure, applicants will be invited to participate in person or teleconference.

In case of titles and qualifications awarded by foreign Higher Education Institutions, the provisions of the Law 55/2023 (article 36) and 4957/2022 (article 304) are implemented.

 

The results of the selection will be announced on the website of IMBB-FORTH. Applicants have the right to appeal the selection decision, by addressing their written objection to the IMBB secretariat within five days since the

 

results announcement on the web. Objections are submitted in one of the following ways: in person, by an authorized person, by post, by courier. They also have the right to access (a) the files of the applicants as well as (b) the table of applicants’ scores (ranking of applicants results). All the above information related to the selection procedure will be available at the secretariat of IMBB-FORTH in line with the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. Access to personal data of co- applicants shall be limited to personal data (and relevant data) and supporting documents which have been the basis of the evaluation of the applicants for the specific post(s). Prior to the announcement of the personal data and/or documents of the co- applicants to the applicant, FORTH will inform the data subjects in an appropriate way.

The selected applicants will be notified personally regarding the success of his/her application and will be requested to submit certified copies of his/her degrees. If the submitted documents do not agree with the original application, the applicant will be dismissed.

Additional comments

GDPR Disclaimer

FORTH is compliant with all legal procedures for the processing of personal data as defined by the Regulation EU/2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data. FORTH processes the personal data and relevant supporting documents that applicants have submitted. Processing of that data is carried out exclusively for the needs and purposes of this specific call. Such data shall not be transmitted to or communicated to any third party unless required by law.

FORTH retains the above data up to the announcement of the final results of the call, unless further process and reservation is required by law or for purposes of exercise, enforcement, prosecution of certain one’s legitimate legal rights’ as defined in the Regulation EU/2016/679 and/or in national law. Under the Regulation EU/2016/679, applicants have the rights to be informed about their personal data, access to, rectification and erasure, restrictions of process and objection to as provided by applicable regulation and national laws. Applicants have the right to file a complaint to the national Data Protection Authority. For any further information regarding exercise of personal data protection rights, applicants may contact the Data Protection Officer at FORTH at [email protected] .

Applicants have the right to withdraw your application and consent for the processing of personal data at any time. In this case, FORTH shall destroy such documents and/or supporting documents submitted and shall delete the related personal data.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMBB

Country

Greece

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Heraklion

Website

http://www.imbb.forth.gr

Street

Vassilika Vouton

Postal Code

70013

STATUS: EXPIRED