Post-doctoral position in Bordeaux/France

We are seeking two postdoctoral researchers for a project studying “cellular mechanisms for attentional modulation of tactile processing” in the Takahashi lab at the IINS institute embedded within the Bordeaux Neurocampus in France. This project is funded by the Bordeaux Neurocampus and ATIP-Avenir program.

Attention dynamically controls the gain of sensory responses in the cortex, which helps us detect relevant sensory information in space and time. As yet, the underlying neuronal processes remain largely unknown. My team employs a multi-disciplinary approach including in vivo two-photon imaging, electrophysiology combined with behavioral assay to find mechanistic explanations for how attention modulate tactile processing in the mouse cortex. Specifically, we are interested in biophysical properties of the dendrite of cortical sensory neurons. Our recent work uncovered their crucial role in detection of tactile stimuli at the perceptual threshold (Takahashi et al., Science, 2016; Nature Neuroscience, 2020). Through understanding the intrinsic mechanisms that modulate the dendrites of cortical sensory neurons, we hope to decipher the canonical cellular principles that mediate gain modulation in attentive states.

Our lab provides an open, high-standard scientific environment to support the independent career of individual lab members.

Position: 2-years postdoc position (with the possibility of extension), immediately available.

Requirements: PhD with a background in biological or computational neuroscience. Experience with imaging or electrophysiology is advantageous, but big enthusiasm for utilizing these techniques to tackle an important question is more valued. Programming skill in Matlab or Python is necessary.

Please send a cover letter explaining your research experience and interests, a CV, and the contact information of two references to naoya.takahashi@u-bordeaux.fr.