PHD position: Cell type specific function during sensory guided decision-making

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: Temporary
Deadline: 01 Dec 2021

The Cortical Microcircuits and In Vivo Neurophysiology teams are looking for a talented PhD candidate for a 4-year project that will be carried out at the Integrative Neurophysiology (INF) division at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR) at the VU Amsterdam.
https://inf.cncr.nl/research_teams/cortical_microcircuits_/
https://inf.cncr.nl/research_teams/in_vivo_neurophysiology/

The prefrontal cortex controls cognitive behavior and guided by sensory inputs steers decisions on behavioral output. How activity of projection neurons that target other cortical and subcortical areas is orchestrated to generate behavioral output is poorly understood. By genetically targeting projection-specific cell types, we study how cell type-specific activity in rodents performing are involved in a learned task to understand how identified cell types contribute to behavioral inhibition and decision making. Detailed understanding of cell type specific function and underlying brain areas can inspire the development of therapeutic treatments during brain dysfunction (such as autism, ALS or dementia) or after acute brain damage, including stroke.
As a PhD candidate, your research will aim to elucidate the neural circuit mechanisms underlying the emergence of sensory-guided decision-making.

Your duties

  • You will use a repertoire of state-of-the-art approaches in circuit neuroscience such as single unit and population electrophysiology in anaesthetized and behaving mice, opto- or chemogenetics and histology
  • You will have the opportunity to supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students


Similar Positions