Job ID: 118293
The role of early-life microbiome in sculpting stress-social neural circuits and behaviour in zebrafish.
Position: Ph.D. Student
Deadline: 29 March 2024
Employment Start Date: 1 May 2024
Contract Length: 4 years
City: Cork
Country: Ireland
Institution: University College Cork
Department: APC Microbiome Ireland - School of Pharmacy
Description:
Funded Ph.D. Studentship, flexible start date with immediate start possible.
The role of early-life microbiome in sculpting stress-social neural circuits and behaviour in zebrafish.
We are seeking highly motivated and skilled PhD student to be co-supervised by Dr Jatin Nagpal and Prof John Cryan. The position offers a unique opportunity to perform innovative research understanding the impact of microbiota on neurodevelopment and stress and social behaviour using zebrafish as a model system.
The successful candidate will join a vibrant learning environment working as part of the multidisciplinary Microbiota-Gut-Brain Team within APC Microbiome Ireland which includes neuroscientists, bioinformaticians, behavioural pharmacologists, molecular biologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and nutritionists. The candidate should have some laboratory research experience. Knowledge (or experience) of zebrafish as a model system is desirable. The ongoing projects utilize techniques such as zebrafish microbiota manipulation, molecular biology including RNA extraction and analysis, behaviour, immunofluorescence, optogenetics and microscopy. Experience in these disciplines will be highly valued. We are particularly interested in candidates with a BSc or MSc (desirable) in Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, or a related science. They should have good communication and interpersonal skills, along with the evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
Selected Publications:
Nagpal J, Eachus H, Lityagina O, Ryu S (2024). Optogenetic induction of chronic glucocorticoid exposure in early-life impairs stress-response in larval zebrafish. European Journal of Neuroscience (accepted).
Nagpal J, Herget U, Choi MK, Ryu S. (2019). Anatomy, development, and plasticity of the neurosecretory hypothalamus in zebrafish. Cell Tissue Res. Jan;375(1):5-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-018-2900-4.
How to apply:
Please submit as a single pdf file:
(1) Letter of motivation
(2) Curriculum vitae
(3) Summary of Research Experience including list of publications (if available)
To NagpalLab@ucc.ie