Job ID: 113923

Post-doctoral position

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 30 November 2023

Employment Start Date: 1 December 2023

Contract Length: min 2 yrs

City: Madrid

Country: Spain

Institution: Instituto Cajal, CSIC

Department: Functional System Neurociences

Description:

Postdoctoral Fellow position in Neuronal Circuits implicated in non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

We are currently looking for a self-driven and enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to join our team at the Cajal Institute, which is part of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Spain. Our research is centered around studying the functional decline of neuronal circuits in Parkinson’s disease, with a particular focus on understanding the origin of non-motor symptoms comorbid with Parkinson’s disease. We are using animal models based on aSynuclein overexpression that recapitulate the motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease.

We are specifically seeking an individual with prior experience in behavioral studies and conducting electrophysiology or calcium imaging on freely moving animals. While expertise in neurodegenerative diseases is desirable, it is not mandatory. If you are interested in this position, please take a look at some of our related publications to familiarize yourself with our ongoing research:

  • Suarez LM, Alberquilla S, García-Montes JR, Moratalla R. Differential synaptic remodeling by dopamine in direct and indirect striatal projection neurons in Pitx3-/- mice, a genetic model of Parkinson´s disease. J Neurosci. 2018. 38:3619-3630.
  • Keifman E, Ruiz de Diego I, Pafundo DE, Paz RM, Solís O, Murer MG, Moratalla R. Optostimulation of striatonigral terminals in substantia nigra induces dyskinesia that increases after L-DOPA in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Br J Pharmacol. 2019;176:2146-2161.
  • Suarez LM, Solís O, Sanz-Magro A, Alberquilla S, and Moratalla R. D1 receptor regulates spine density in direct and indirect striatal projection neurons. Mov Disord. 2020 Jul 9. doi: 10.1002/mds.28174.
  • Gómez-Benito M, Granado N, García-Sanz P, Michel A, Dumoulin M, Moratalla R. Modeling Parkinson’s Disease With the Alpha-Synuclein Protein. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Apr 23;11:356. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00356. PMID: 32390826; PMCID: PMC7191035.
  • Espadas I, Ortiz O, García-Sanz P, Sanz-Magro A, Alberquilla S, Solis O, Delgado-García JM, Gruart A, Moratalla R. Dopamine D2R is Required for Hippocampal-dependent Memory and Plasticity at the CA3-CA1 Synapse. Cereb Cortex. 2021 Mar 5;31(4):2187-2204.

The CSIC encompasses over 130 research centers, including several located in Madrid, such as the renowned Cajal Institute. Within the Cajal Institute, numerous active laboratories focus on functional and systems neurobiology. The institute fosters a vibrant scientific community through regular activities such as journal clubs, weekly colloquiums, and classes for its master’s program in collaboration with multiple universities. Situated in Madrid, the political capital of Spain, the institute benefits from being in an exhilarating city with a rich historical background. Madrid boasts world-renowned museums such as El Prado, Reina Sofia, and Tyssen, and it serves as a hub for start-ups and technological advancements in the fields of science and engineering. The city’s high-quality public health and education systems further enhance its appeal, making Madrid an enticing destination for candidates considering relocation with their families.

The position is funded for 2 years by the prestigious Institution Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF), with an extension based on performance. Starting date:  ASAP. Interested candidates please send their CVs to Dr. Rosario Moratalla (moratalla@cajal.csic.es) until the position is filled.