Job ID: 106543

Ph.D. Student – Synaptic modulation of brain connectivity

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 15 April 2023

Contract Length: 4 years

City: ROVERETO

Country: Italy

Institution: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Department: Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems

Description:

The Functional Neuroimaging laboratory at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (https://www.iit.it/it/web/functional-neuroimaging), Rovereto (Italy), invites applications for a PhD scholarship to investigate the mechanisms of brain connectivity in the mammalian brain.

Our research is aimed at identifying the general principles underlying functional cross-talk between brain regions as assessed with fMRI and large-scale electrophysiological recordings. We address these questions at the level of identified cell types by combining neural manipulations (optogenetics, chemogenetics, viral tracing) with cutting-edge small-animal functional imaging and electrophysiological recordings. For reference to recent work of relevance to this project, please see Rocchi et al. Nature Communications (2022), Pagani et al., Nature Communications (2021).

The successful candidate will have a MSc in neuroscience, biotechnology, pharmacology, psychology, physics, or related. Hands-on training in in vivo experimental neuroscience and/or familiarity with science-related coding platforms will be highly valued.

The four-year studentship aims to provide students with a multi-disciplinary training in conducting research at the interface of biomedical imaging, computational and experimental neuroscience including the use of advanced neural-manipulations in rodents.

The studentship is part of the international doctoral school in cognitive and brain sciences, in partnership with the University of Trento (http://web.unitn.it/en/cimec/). Final admission to the doctoral school entails a competitive selection process, as per the doctoral school regulations.

The IIT center in Rovereto is actively expanding its infrastructure for systems level neuroscience research, and is located in Trentino, a region of Northern Italy nestled in the Dolomite Mountains, offering spectacular natural beauty, vibrant culture and exceptional quality of life.

Any interested party can informally contact Dr Alessandro Gozzi (alessandro.gozzi@iit.it) to gather more information about the position, the project and the selection process.