PhD position at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona funded by the TOUCH COFUND project

15 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

30 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126533

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

No

Offer Description

Topic: Single-cell calcium imaging and machine learning in fear memory models

A PhD position is available at the Neurobiology of stress and vulnerability to psychopathology-Institut Neurociències from Universitat Autònoma Barcelona under the supervision of Raul Andero (Neuroscience) and Katharina Schultebraucks (Psychiatry & Population Health). We are looking for a highly motivated candidate that will investigate mechanisms of fear regulation combining behavioural studies and computational analysis in this multidisciplinary project

Fear conditioning (FC) and extinction (FE) are key in behaviour and neuropsychiatric disorders. We seek new insights into the mechanisms of fear regulation combining behavioural studies and computational analysis in this multidisciplinary project.

FC and FE in Tac2-cre mice will involve the Tac2 pathway - the Tac2 gene, Neurokinin B and its specific receptor Neurokinin 3 (Nk3R) - which are crucial for amygdala circuits and key in fear learning.

Utilising Single-cell calcium imaging (SCCI, Miniscopes) in freely moving mice during FC and FE provides real-time insights into amygdala dynamics. This approach not only identifies neural circuits involved but also aims to unravel Tac2 contribution to FC and FE.

Incorporating computational analysis of SCCI data, we aim to investigate neuronal activity patterns during fear processes. Beyond global fluorescence measures, spatial tuning analysis would enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between neural activity and behaviour.

Machine learning becomes crucial for comprehensive data interpretation in this dual-species analysis. Employing unsupervised machine learning algorithm aids in discerning patterns and uncovering associations within the complex datasets, potentially predicting fear-related responses.

The strength of this multidisciplinary project lies in seamlessly integrating behavioural, SCCI, and potentially human response data. This comprehensive analysis will explore relationships between genetic variations, neural patterns, and behavioural outcomes, hopefully uncovering convergences and divergences in fear mechanisms between humans and rodents. Innovative and advanced computational methods are needed to investigate these complexities and identify translational relationships.

Professor Andero will be the main director and responsible for the behavioral and calcium imaging analyses. Professor Schultebraucks will direct the Machine learning analyses in collaboration with the candidate and Professor Andero.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Neurosciences doctoral program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project. TOUCH (“Towards the next generatiOn of excellent yoUng doctoral researchers on mental health by developing an intersectoral & transdisciplinary approaCH”) is a new excellent doctoral programme co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Actions of the European Commission and led by the UAB for the recruitment and training of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

 

The laboratory applying for this scholarship is the Translational Mechanisms of Fear Memory lab , led by Prof ICREA Raul Andero, which belongs to the SGR “Neurobiologia de l'estrès i vulnerabilitat a la psicopatologia”. Professor Andero's group is focused on behavioural and neural mechanisms of stress and memory in the brain. Specifically, the laboratory studies how stress changes molecular processes underlying fear memories in the brains of both animal models and humans. Additionally, they aim to further understand sex differences in these fear memory circuits which will help to find more effective treatments for patients suffering anxiety and fear-based disorders such as Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder or specific phobias.

We are looking for candidates with an excellent CV, ahigh degree of ambition and motivation, and with good personal qualities to work in our Team. We offer a 3-year full-time contract (37,5 hours/week) and a gross salary of 2.375 €/month (the salary will be the same for the 3 years).

The candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria from the EC: Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the deadline for the programme call. Experience rule: researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.

We seek a candidate well-versed in molecular and cell biology, with hands-on experience in histological analysis and fundamental molecular biology laboratory techniques. We require a minimum of six months period spent in a neuroscience laboratory, with a preference for experience in stress or fear-related research. Experience with Miniscopes is also desired.

We also emphasize the importance of computational modeling skills. The candidate should possess solid knowledge in the field, with the ability to read and code in Matlab and R. Basic knowledge of Python is also required. The candidate should not only be adept at using existing code but also capable of coding new solutions to address project-specific challenges. A foundational understanding of basic statistics is essential for the candidate, better if with a specific focus on its application in biological contexts. It is recommended the candidate has an interview with Professor Andero before applying for this scholarship. [email protected]

Interested applicants should apply through the TOUCH online platform by submitting a full CV, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation and academic and English level certificates. The call will be open from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 2024. More information about the TOUCH project, the recruitment process, and the application platform are available on the TOUCH website .

 

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Country

Spain

City

Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona)

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://webs.uab.cat/touch/

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Cerdanyola del Vallés

Website

http://www.uab.cat

Street

Campus UAB

Postal Code

08193

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED