Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

Job title:

Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

Company:

Job description

Offer DescriptionThe Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of:Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of MindNumber of available positions: 1Place of work: Laboratory of Neurophysiology of MindResearcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2/R3Field of science: NeuroscienceType of recruitment: Sonata Bis NCN grantRequirements:

• PhD degree, or equivalent, in biology, psychology, computer science, cognitive neuroscience,
• experience in human electrophysiology research; especially in human intracranial recordings,
• strong MATLAB and or Python programming skills – single-neuron sorting (Preference for Osort software), signal analysis, statistics, machine learning,
• exceptional motivation for the scientific research (demonstrated via publications, references of the candidate’s thesis tutor),
• knowledge and understanding of research ethics and commitment to applying this knowledge in practice
• knowledge of single-neuron mechanisms of working memory in humans,
• experience in human intracranial research,
• Doctoral degree obtained not earlier than 7 years before the year of employment in the project. The period of 7 years may be extended by the duration specified in the NCN regulations.
• Good command of written and spoken English

Project description:Background:Every time when we think, make a decision, add digits in the mind or even when we put new phone number to our smartphones, we used cognitive capacity called Working Memory. Working Memory is a capacity to hold and manipulate a small chunk of information in our minds. Our intellect is based on this “thinking stage ground”. Surprisingly we know very little how our neuronal networks inside our, human, brains make it happened. This is because direct recordings of neurons in human brain is very difficult. It is possible only during treatment of different disseises when we need to put in to human brain because of clinical reasons. This project will take advantage of unique opportunity to directly record activity of human neurons during procedure of implantation Deep Brain Stimulation electrode to help people with a variety of conditions. We will record neuronal activity directly from Frontal Cortex, in area called Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and from the nucleus located deep inside the brain called Substantia Nigra. Both areas play key function in Working Memory. This project for the first time will characterize activity of neurons in these areas when subjects perform tasks using Working Memory.Aim:In the project, we plan to test a hypothesis that information currently held in our minds – thoughts – is represented by activity of specific cells which are also responding when we see given concept. It was showed that this mechanism is observed in animals, but we do not know if similar phenomena is also observed in human brain? Moreover, we will also probe function of neuromodulator called dopamine in Working Memory. It is thought that dopamine can act as a gating mechanism protecting content of Working Memory from distraction. Substantia Nigra is a key nucleus producing dopamine in the brain. During the research, we will record from this nucleus and ask subjects to memorize images for few seconds during which they face distractors. Additionally, we use weak electrical stimulation to test if disturbing local activity of dopaminergic cell will impact our ability to face distractors. Finally, we will also test what is the relation between activity of neurons and brain oscillation during Working Memory. Brain oscillation are one of the most prominent feature of brain electrical activity but relationship between activity of neurons and ongoing oscillation is not well understood. The result of this project will give us much better understanding of neuronal mechanism supporting Working Memory. This will inspire new ideas for treatments of many neurological and psychiatric diseases like ADHD, Schizophrenia or Depression as they are characterized by WM disturbance and abnormalities in the DLPFC and the dopaminergic system.Scope of work:

• Planning and conducting experimental work (research conducted during epilepsy monitoring),
• Data preprocessing and analysis (analysis of intracranial electrophysiological signal),
• Data management, manuscript preparation,
• Supervision of PhD students.

Employment conditions:

• Full-time employment contract in the top-ranked research institute in Poland.
• Access to modern equipment and support from other experienced researchers.
• Possibility for extensive interdisciplinary collaborations within the team and in the Institute, as well as international collaborations with Academia
• Full-time employment,
• Duration of contract: 2 years,
• Commencement of employment: June 2024

Application procedure and deadline:Applications should be sent to with note: “JK postdoc” till May 9thRequired documents:

• CV,
• Letter-of-intent/motivation letter
• 2 letters of reference,
• Copy of PhD diploma (or equivalent)
• Contact information, including e-mail address and phone number,
• Statement by the candidate that he/she will not receive remuneration from other projects funded by the National Science Centre.
• Declaration that the candidate will not take up other jobs during the period

of employment in the project.You can use the foreign equivalent of a Polish academic degree if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

• is covered by the provisions of an international agreement on the equivalence of education,
• was issued by an authorized institution operating in an EU, OECD or EFTA Member State,
• was issued in another country and recognized on the basis of the regulations on the recognition of academic degrees obtained abroad (learn more about the procedure for the recognition of academic degrees:

For more information please contact: Jan KamińskiLink to website:Additional information:Please include the following clause in your CV:I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).RequirementsResearch Field Neurosciences Education Level PhD or equivalentAdditional InformationAdditional commentsInformation Clause:The Controller of data is Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3.Contact Details of the Personal Data Protection Officer:Personal data in the recruitment form is collected and will be processed only for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position conducted by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS.Giving consent for processing of your personal data is voluntary; however, it is necessary in order to take part in recruitment. I hereby state that I was informed about the right to withdraw my consent at any time. The withdrawal of the consent does not influence the lawfulness of any processing performed before the consent withdrawal.Personal data collected in order to perform the recruitment process shall be processed throughout the period of time necessary for the organisation and completion
of the recruitment process, as well as for considering a possible complaint; however, not longer than for the period specified in the project regulations.Personal data will not be transferred to a third party.You have the right to request the data controller for access to your personal data, to edit or limit its processing, as well as to raise an objection or transfer your data. You are also entitled to file a complaint to the supervisory body (President of the Office for Personal Data Protection).Work Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS Country Poland GeofieldWhere to apply E-mailpostdoc@nencki.edu.plContact CityWarsaw WebsiteStreet3 Pasteur St. E-Mailu.dziewulska@nencki.edu.plSTATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Warszawa, mazowieckie

Job date

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:53:23 GMT

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