Jobs

COME AND WORK AT NeuroPSI

Would you like to work in the field of neuroscience? Come and join one of the 22 NeuroPSI teams.

This page presents our offers for PhD, post-doc, fixed-term contracts for engineers and technicians, fixed-term administrative contracts, etc.

If you are looking for an internship, click here.

OUR JOB OFFERS

Post-Doc

A Postdoc position in Drosophila circuit neuroscience

3 years
Position can start in early 2024
Influence of physiological states on brain function and behavior: brain-wide neural circuit and molecular mechanisms. We are looking for a motivated and creative young scientist to join the Jovanic team at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI), France. See the PDF

We are looking for a motivated and creative young scientist to join the Jovanic team at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI), France (departments/cnn/group-leader-tihana-jovanic/)

Project summary
Making the right decisions depending on the context and the internal state is critical for survival across the animal kingdom. One of the key roles of the brain is to regulate behavior depending on the ever-changing external demands and internal needs. This capacity of the brain to modulate the behavioral output depending on the situation has implications for its organization: the mapping between sensory information and motor output needs to be flexible. This allows different types of information to dynamically modulate the outcome of the decision process. Where and how this is achieved in the nervous system remains an intriguing open question and answering it has been a daunting task in the field of neuroscience. The modulation of neural circuit activity can occur at synapses and individual cells or local circuits and global networks. Studying it comprehensively thus requires different levels of analysis, from molecules and neural circuits to larger networks and behavior. To determine the general principles of thow physiological states affect brain and behavior acrosses we will use a simple organism, the Drosophila Melanogaster larva, that has many advantages for mapping neural circuits across the nervous system : a compact brain of about 10 000 neurons that has been mapped at synapse resolution and genetic tools allow to establish causal relationships between single neurons and behavior: we will use a combination of neurphysiology, functional imaging, quantitative behavioral analysis, genetics and connectomics

Please address your application, including in a single pdf of motivation letter (2 pages max), academic CV, publication list and the names and addresses of 2 reviewers to Dr. Jovanic: (tihana.jovanic@cnrs.fr). Screening interviews will be held online followed by on site interviews with the project team members.

Start date from early 2024

NeuroPSI is an institute dedicated to fundamental research in neuroscience at Paris-Saclay University (25 km South-West of Paris). The NeuroPSI research groups address a wide range of questions in neuroscience, from molecules to cognition and from embryos to adults, using multiscale experimental and theoretical approaches. NeuroPSI recently moved to a brand-new building next to the NeuroSpin institute for brain imaging, thus forming the largest neuroscience cluster in the Paris area.

Post-Doctorant (M/W)

2 years
Expected date of employment : 1 January 2024
The postdoctoral fellow will be tasked with developing 2-photon imaging combined with in vivo optogenetic stimulation of the larval brain of Drosophila melanogaster.

General information
● Reference : UMR9197-ODILEC2-135
● Number of position : 1
● Workplace : SACLAY
● Date of publication : 22 September 2023
● Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
● Contract Period : 24 months
● Expected date of employment : 1 January 2024
● Proportion of work : Full time
● Remuneration : salary between €2,992 and €4669 gross per month, depending on professional experience and CNRS salary scale
● Desired level of education : Niveau 8 – (Doctorat)
● Experience required : Indifferent
● Section(s) CN : Interactions, particles, nuclei, from laboratory to cosmos

Missions
The postdoctoral fellow will be tasked with developing 2-photon imaging combined with in vivo optogenetic stimulation of the larval brain of Drosophila melanogaster.

Activities
● Literature review and data compilation
● Planning and carrying out genetic crosses
● Planning and carrying out in vivo 2-photon imaging experiments
● Data analysis and drafting of laboratory notebooks
● Data editing and regular communication with the research team
● Scientific communication (drafting of scientific publications, participation in conferences).

We study the fundamental principles underlying associative learning by exploring the brain of the Drosophila larva. This system is said to be ‘minimalist’, as it has little or no neuronal redundancy, enabling the functional study of individual neurons. In addition, the learning circuit has a high level of recurrence (feedback loops). Using a combination of neurogenetic tools, advanced behavioral analyses, in vivo imaging and connectome mapping, we aim at understanding how these recurrent loops influence memory formation and decision-making. For this project, the researcher will test, by imaging genetically encoded biosensors, how the neuronal response to different stimuli (artificial, via optogenetics, or natural) evolves with learning.

Skills
PhD in neuroscience or related field
● The candidate should have experience with Drosophila melanogaster and/or calcium imaging (confocal or 2-photon).
● Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are expected
● Basic skills in statistics and programming (e.g. Python or Matlab) is required. If the candidate has more advanced skills, they will be greatly appreciated!

Work Context
The post-doctoral researcher recruited under this vacancy will work in the Paris-Saclay Neuroscience Institute, in the Recurrent Circuits, Learning and Memory team, located on the CEA Saclay campus, 151 route de la rotonde 91400 Saclay. The candidate will report to the team leader, Ms Claire ESCHBACH.
This project has been awarded an ATIP-Avenir grant starting in 2024. We are working within the general theoretical framework of reinforcement learning, developing a multi-scale study of this process. This type of approach is ideally suited to the NeuroPSI institute, where all the necessary equipment is available.

Post-doctoral fellow in neuro-immunology (M/W)

1 year
Expected date of employment 1 November 2023
Conducting a research project to characterize, in zebrafish larvae, neurological deficits caused by infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by Sindbis virus (SINV) and Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), both neuroinvasive pathogens.

General information
● Reference : UMR9197-ODILEC2-134
● Number of position : 1
● Workplace : SACLAY
● Date of publication : 21 September 2023
● Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
● Contract Period : 12 months
● Expected date of employment : 1 November 2023
● Proportion of work : Full time
● Remuneration : salary between €2,992 and €4669 gross per month, depending on professional experience and CNRS salary scale
● Desired level of education : Niveau 8 – (Doctorat)
● Experience required : Indifferent
● Section(s) CN : Molecular and cellular neurobiology, neurophysiology

Missions
Conducting a research project to characterize, in zebrafish larvae, neurological deficits caused by infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by Sindbis virus (SINV) and Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), both neuroinvasive pathogens. Correlation between infected areas in the CNS and behavioral defects. Measurement of activity and survival of infected neurons. Addressing the role of the host immune response in these neurological defects by studying various mutants or addition of cytokines.

Activities
● Zebrafish crossing for larval production
● Infection by recombinant viruses using microinjection (BSL2 level)
● Confocal and widefield fluorescent microscopy, on live animal or fixed immunostained samples
● Flow cytometry
● qRT-PCR
● Behavioural testing
● Bibliography analysis
● Supervision of Master student
● Writing projects and regulatory protocoles
● Writing articles, presenting results orally in meetings.

Skills
Doctoral training in neuroscience, immunology or virology.
● Confocal microscopy.
● A previous experience in zebrafish handling is desirable.
● Mastery of English and scientific communication.
● Organizational skills, independence, teamwork.

Work Context
The post-doctoral researcher recruited under this vacancy will work at the Paris-Saclay Neuroscience Institute, in the Neuro-Infection and Immunity team, located on the CEA Saclay campus, 151 route de la rotonde 91400 Saclay. The Neuro-Infection and Immunity team is attached to the DECS (Development, Evolution and Cell Signaling) Department, as well as to the Immunology Department of the Institut Pasteur.

The research conducted there, at the interface between neuroscience and immunology, aims to understand immune responses in the central nervous system, in particular the deleterious effects of neuroinflammation. The animal model used by the team is the zebrafish, taking advantage of the optical and genetic assets of this vertebrate. Experimental methods are based mainly on intravital microscopy of zebrafish infected with neurotropic viruses expressing fluorescent reporters. The candidate will report to the team leader, Dr Levraud.

Two ERC-funded postdoctoral positions to study the neuronal basis for movement from an integrated perspective

2 years
Positions can start in early 2024
In the team « Neuronal Circuits and Motor Control » (headed by Dr. Julien Bouvier) we study the neuronal basis for movement from an integrated perspective. We are looking for two motivated scientists to explore the diversity and specialization of descending circuits from the brainstem for the orchestration of adaptive movements at the functional, connectomic and genetic levels.

Applicants should be interested in systems neuroscience and motor control, have a constructive team-spirit, and have some of the following skills:

Project 1

To investigate the diversity of specific brainstem neurons from the gene expression standpoint. Approaches will combine mouse genetics, viral labelling, high-throughput single-nucleus profiling, and histology.
Relevant skills:

  • Molecular biology including tissue dissociation and FACS sorting;
  • RNA sequencing and genomic data analysis ideally at the single cell or single nucleus level;
  • Interest in learning experimental approaches on mice including surgical procedures and viral tools.
Project 2

To investigate the organization of specific brainstem neurons, through the characterization of their connectivity, activity and function. Approaches will combine advanced viral circuit tracings in mice with in vivo multi-site functional imaging, electrophysiology and optogenetics, and behavioral analysis.
Relevant skills:

  • Rodent stereotaxic surgery;
  • In vivo calcium imaging and/or electrophysiological recordings and/or optogenetics;
  • Movement analysis using video-tracking;
  • Minimal skills in programming or in bioengineering will be a valuable asset.

You would be joining a dynamic, international, and well-equipped team in a brand-new multidisciplinary Institute dedicated to brain function from genes to artificial intelligence, at the heart of the Paris-Saclay cluster.

Location:

NeuroPSI (Julien Bouvier team, Saclay) departments/icn/group-leader-julien-bouvier

How to postulate:
Interested candidates should send the following to julien.bouvier@cnrs.fr
  • a 2-page summary of previous research and interests;
  • a CV including publication list;
  • The name and contact of 2 references.

Positions can start in early 2024, for 2 years initially with longer term extensions possible based on advancement.
Team website: www.bouvier-lab.com / Twitter: @julbouvier

Download the PDF

A Postdoc position in Auditory processing, Electrophysiology, Calcium Imaging, Predictive Coding

2-4 years
Deadline : November 2023

The team « Neural code & auditory perception » (Jean-Marc Edeline lab) and the team “Auditory system dynamics and multisensory processing” (Brice Bathellier lab) are looking for a very motivated post-doc with a strong experience in in vivo electrophysiology and/or in vivo calcium imaging in mice. Good computing skills are mandatory and good knowledge about the auditory system will be appreciated. The project is collaborative effort between Jean-Marc Edeline (Paris-Saclay), Brice Bathellier and Luc Arnal (both at the Hearing Institute in Paris).

Project summary

The team « Neural code & auditory perception » (Jean-Marc Edeline lab) and the team “Auditory system dynamics and multisensory processing” (Brice Bathellier lab) are looking for a very motivated post-doc with a strong experience in in vivo electrophysiology and/or in vivo calcium imaging in mice. Good computing skills are mandatory and good knowledge about the auditory system will be appreciated. The project is collaborative effort between Jean-Marc Edeline (Paris-Saclay), Brice Bathellier and Luc Arnal (both at the Hearing Institute in Paris). The recruited post-doc will be engaged to perform electrophysiological and/or 2-photon recordings in the auditory structures of head-fixed mice engaged in a discrimination task between target stimuli embedded in various levels background noise. Sound sequences will predict the target stimuli and should help the animals to reach better performance in noise. Potentially, she/he will be also involved in the optogenetic studies performed subsequently to evaluate the key role of cortical regions (orbitofrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex) in transmitting predictions to the auditory cortex and the subcortical auditory structures.

Background:

In humans and animals, the perception of noisy acoustic inputs is thought to depend on the ability to predict upcoming events, constraining and biasing perception to the most probable events. The ambition of the project is to identify the neural signatures of predictions both at a mesoscopic and at a single-cell resolution over large ensembles of neurons. This will be achieved in mice with units and LFP electrophysiology (Edeline lab) and with large-scale 2-photon imaging (Bathellier lab). Electrophysiology in mice will allow recording sets of ~100 units in auditory thalamus and inferior colliculus as well as in deep auditory cortex layers. Two-photon imaging will allow accessing the activity of 1000 neurons simultaneously in the auditory cortex at reasonable time resolution, in order to efficiently address the organization of prediction signals within the cortical neural population.

Location:

NeuroPSI (JM Edeline lab, Saclay) and Institut de l’Audition (B Bathellier lab, Paris)

departments/icn/group-leader-catherine-del-negro-jean-marc-edeline

team/auditory-system-dynamics-and-multisensory-processing

How to postulate:

Candidates should send a CV (max 3 pages) and a one page motivation letter detailing (a) why you want to be part of this project, (b) how this post will be a good steppingstone for your career. Please include the contact details of two referees.
Send these information to : jean-marc.edeline@universite-paris-saclay.fr

A Postdoc position in Drosophila circuit neuroscience

1 year to be renwerd
Expected starting date : first half of 2023
State dependent modulation of neural circuit activity underlying sensorimotor decisions. We are looking for a motivated and creative young scientist to join an interdisplinary team of neuroscientists at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience. See the PDF

Supervised by Tihana Jovanic in collaboration with Alain Destexhe.

Project summary

Making the right decisions depending on the context and the internal state is critical for survival across the animal kingdom. One of the key roles of the brain is to regulate behavior depending on the ever-changing external demands and internal needs. This capacity of the brain to modulate the behavioral output depending on the situations has implications for its organisation: the mapping between sensory information and motor output needs to be flexible. This allows different types of information to dynamically modulate the outcome of the decision process. Where and how this is achieved in the nervous system remains an intriguing open question and answering it has been a daunting task in the field of neuroscience. The modulation of neural circuit activity can occur at synapses and individual cells or local circuits and global networks. Studying it comprehensively thus requires different levels of analysis, from molecules and neural circuits to larger networks and behavior.

To determine the general principles of state dependent modulation across different scales we will use a simple organism, the Drosophila Melanogaster larva, that has many advantages for mapping neural circuits across the nervous system : a compact brain of about 10 000 neurons that has been mapped at synapse resolution and genetic tools allow to establish causal relationships between single neurons and behavior. We will focus on understudied aspect of the influence of feeding-state dependent modulation of escape behaviors and tinvestigate the neural circuit mechanisms involved using a combination of electrophysiology, Ca-imaging, quantitative behavioral analysis, genetics and

This project will be highly interdisciplinary, with close interaction between computational modeling (in collaboration with Alain Destexhe) and experimental work. The project will allow to determine in which way the neuromodulators, alone or in combination, reconfigure neural circuit activity, and how feeding states modulate neural circuit activity underlying sensorimotor decisions

Being at the intersection of experimental, theoretical, and computational fields, we expect the outcomes of this project to have a large audience and impact, which will be internationally presented by the Postdoc in scientific communications at meetings, congresses, and in publications.

A PhD in neuroscience or related disciplines is required. Experience in Electrophysiology and/or Calcium-imaging will be appreciated.
The postdoc will join Dr. Jovanic’s team (/en/departments/cnn/group-leader-tihana-jovanic/). Please address your application, including in a single pdf of motivation letter (2 pages max), academic CV, publication list and the names and addresses of 2 reviewers to tihana.jovanic@cnrs.fr. Screening interviews will be held online followed by on site interviews with the project team members.

NeuroPSI is an institute dedicated to fundamental research in neuroscience at Paris-Saclay University (25 km South-West of Paris). The NeuroPSI research groups are organized in three thematic departments and address a wide range of questions in neuroscience, from molecules to cognition and from embryos to adults, using multiscale experimental and theoretical approaches. NeuroPSI recently moved to a brand-new building next to the NeuroSpin institute for brain imaging, thus forming the largest neuroscience cluster in the Paris area.

Post-doctoral position to study differentiation, maintenance and natural variation of colour photoreceptor neurons in Drosophila

1-year contracts renewable for up to three years.
Starting date: early 2023

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated postdoc to join the Drosophila Neurogenetics team, headed by Daniel Vasiliauskas, at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI). Drosophila retina contains four types of colour photoreceptor neurons that differ in their spectral sensitivities. Our lab investigates how these type identities are acquired during development and how they are maintained post-developmentally, in the aging adults. We discovered that natural genetic variants affecting photoreceptor identity phenotypes are surprisingly frequent. Our funded scientific program is based on using these variants as genetic entry points to address questions about colour photoreceptor differentiation and maintenance. (For more, see the lab webpage: neuropsi.cnrs.fr/en/departments/decs/group-leader-daniel-vasiliauskas/ ) Within the context of this program, a number of projects, currently at different levels of progress, are available for a candidate to lead. The specifics will be discussed in detail at the interview stage.

The candidate must hold a PhD. Experience in Drosophila genetics, molecular biology, staining techniques and microscopy would be very useful. However, candidates changing fields will be considered, if they have demonstrated initiative and drive. Expertise in population genetics, image processing, enzymology, lipid biochemistry, hippo tumour suppressor pathway, GPCR signalling, fly behaviour, electrophysiology, neurodevelopment and molecular mechanisms of gene regulation could all be a plus for specific projects.

The candidate will be encouraged to apply their previous experience for targeting new problems and developing new approaches within the context of lab interests. Most importantly, the candidate has to be curious, enthusiastic about research, driven, independent, organized and have good communication skills. Contribution of ideas and project conceptualization will be expected from the candidate. The position is funded for 3 years.

Paris Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI) is dedicated to fundamental research in Neuroscience. It is located in Saclay (less than an hour by public transportation from Paris, about 20km southwest of the city). The institute comprises 23 labs with ~300 people. Its beautiful and spacious new building has state-of-the-art facilities. As a part of the Universite Paris-Saclay it is part of a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment combining university and engineering schools, with excellent laboratories in fundamental and applied science.

• For more details please contact: Daniel Vasiliauskas
• Applicants should send a CV, a short motivation letter and contacts of two references to Daniel Vasiliauskas.

Thesis

Doctorant / Étude du rôle des astrocytes hypothalamiques (H/F)

3 years
Start date of the thesis : 1 March 2024
Le but du projet est d’étudier comment les interactions neuro-gliales modulent l’activité des régions cérébrales régulant les fonctions vitales.

General information
● Reference : UMR9197-ODILEC2-136
● Number of position : 1
● Workplace : SACLAY
● Date of publication : 28 November 2023
● Type of Contract : PhD Student contract / Thesis offer
● Contract Period : 36 months
● Start date of the thesis : 1 March 2024
● Proportion of work : Full time
● Rémunération : La rémunération est d’un minimum de 2135,00 € mensuel
● Section(s) CN : Neurobiologie moléculaire et cellulaire, neurophysiologie

Description of the thesis topic
Le but du projet est d’étudier comment les interactions neuro-gliales modulent l’activité des régions cérébrales régulant les fonctions vitales. Les astrocytes détectent et intègrent les changements dans la composition sanguine ou de l’activités neuronales et réagissent en provoquant une élévation locale du Ca2+ cytosolique. Cependant, malgré des décennies de recherche, les bases moléculaires sous-jacentes aux élévations locales de Ca2+ dans les processus astrogliaux restent mal définies.

Work Context
Le projet est réalisé au sein de l’équipe « Astrocytes & Cognitions » dirigée par Glenn Dallérac. La personne sera co-supervisée par Mr José-Manuel Cancela et Mr Glenn Dallérac. Une réunion hebdomadaire permettra le suivi du bon déroulement de la thèse. Une expertise en imagerie calcique confocale et/ou en électrophysiologie est souhaitée. La personne suivra également des formations expérimentales nécessaires à la réalisation du projet.

Le NeuroPSI est un institut consacré à la recherche fondamentale en neurosciences et se situ à l’Université Paris-Saclay (à 25 km au sud-ouest de Paris). Les groupes de recherche de NeuroPSI sont organisés en trois départements thématiques et abordent un large éventail de questions en neurosciences, des molécules à la cognition et des embryons aux adultes, en utilisant des approches expérimentales et théoriques multi-échelles. Récemment, le NeuroPSI a emménagé dans un tout nouveau bâtiment à côté de l’institut NeuroSpin pour l’imagerie cérébrale, formant ainsi le plus grand pôle de neurosciences de la région parisienne.

Mission

No current announcement.

Other fixed-term contracts

Ingénieur d’étude Neuroscience des systèmes (H/F)

5 months
Expected date of employment : 1 February 2024
Le candidat va étudier l’impact des mouvements de la tête sur le traitement d’informations visuelles.

General information
● Reference : UMR9197-GUYBOU-004
● Number of position : 1
● Workplace : SACLAY
● Date of publication : 22 November 2023
● Type of Contract : FTC Technical / Administrative
● Contract Period : 5 months
● Expected date of employment : 1 February 2024
● Proportion of work : Full time
● Remuneration : salaire entre 2 350 € e 2 977€ bruts mensuels, selon expérience professionnelle et grille des salaires du CNRS
● Desired level of education : Niveau 7 – (Bac+5 et plus)
● Experience required : Indifferent
● BAP : Sciences du vivant, de la terre et de l’environnement
● Emploi type : Ingénieur-e biologiste en laboratoire

Missions
Le candidat va étudier l’impact des mouvements de la tête sur le traitement d’informations visuelles.

Activities
● Construire un setup expérimental
● Effectuer des enregistrements electrophysiologiques des animaux éveillés
● Analyser les données expérimentales.

Skills
● Programmation informatique (Arduino/Python/Matlab/Labview)
● Quelques bases en électronique
● Connaissance de base sur le système visuel

Work Context
Le laboratoire SensoMotion de l’Institut de Neurosciences de Paris-Saclay étudie comment nos signaux de mouvement impactent notre représentation du monde. Grâce au généreux financement de la bourse ERC Starting Grant, le laboratoire SensoMotion combine différentes approches pour aborder cette question : comportement, optogénétique, et des outils de pointe tels que la microscopie biphotonique (mesure de tension et de calcium) ainsi que des outils électrophysiologiques. Le candidat rejoindra un environnement de recherche stimulant et pluridisciplinaire, collaborant avec des neuroscientifiques computationnels et interagissant avec des experts dans les domaines du traitement sensoriel et de l’intégration sensorimotrice.

Contact
Guy Bouvier