Job ID: 122886
Postdoctoral Researcher in computational neurophysiology and neuroethology
Position: Post-doctoral Position
Deadline: 30 June 2025
Employment Start Date: 1 October 2025
Contract Length: 24 (up to 60) months
City: Lyon
Country: France
Institution: Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod (CNRS)
Department:
Description:
Employment Start Date: September – October 2025
Contract Length: 24 months (can be extended by 36 months)
City: Lyon
Country: France
Institution: Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod (CNRS)
Description:
A fully-funded 24-month (with 36 additional months possible) postdoctoral position is now available in Dr Arthur Lefevre group (https://www.neuroprime.org/) at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences in Lyon, France. This project is funded by an ERC starting grant.
The objective is to study the neural bases of acoustic communication and affiliation in freely moving and spontaneously behaving marmosets (a small primate) using neurophysiological data already acquired and/or to be acquired. Additionally, we will investigate the effects of oxytocin, a neurohormone that modulates social behavior, on communication and affiliation, as well as the underlying neural activity.
To do so, we are using high channel count electrophysiological probes to wirelessly record neurons in marmosets that are vocally interacting with each other in their home cage. Their vocalizations and cardiac activity are recorded with a wearable jacket and their body postures and gaze automatically labelled. We are also employing chemogenetics to activate or inhibit oxytocin neurons and influence marmosets’ social behavior.
The successful candidate will join our international research team ‘Neuroprime’ led by Dr Sylvia Wirth, with expertise in electrophysiology in non-human primates and social behavior. The team is composed of several PhD students and 2 research engineers. The Lyon Institute of Cognitive Sciences is part of a rich multinational community in a central strategic location in France for neuroscience. The institute is renowned for conducting comparative research on several primate species (human (neurotypical and patients), chimpanzee, macaques, baboons, marmosets), focusing on social behaviors and other cognitive functions. It has developed cutting edge techniques such as combined PET-fMRI, wireless electrophysiology with high channel count, automated tracking techniques, etc.
MAIN RESPONSABILITIES
The postdoc main task will be to analyze recently acquired neurophysiological and behavioral data with a focus on neuronal population analyses. The aim is to test several hypotheses such as how vocalizations spectrograms correlate with neural activity, can we predict subjects’ vocalizations based on this neural activity, can we find correlates of turn taking behavior, etc.
Additionally, the postdoc will participate in the design of novel experiments on the same topic, and if interested, in data acquisition (manipulating marmosets, possible not required). These experiments are being conducted by other team members but will produce novel datasets to analyze and new questions, such as how neurohormones modulate cortical activity.
Main tasks
1 – Design of neuroethology experiments.
2 – Preprocess raw data (automatic labeling, spike sorting).
3 – Write statistical analysis scripts and model data using MATLAB, Python, R.
4 – Write scientific articles reporting on the data.
PROFILE
- PhD in neuroscience or equivalent
Knowledge
- Basic knowledge in neuroscience and neurophysiology
- Theoretical knowledge in computational neuroscience
Know-how
- Programming (MATLAB, Python)
- Analysis and modelling of neural and behavioral data
- Statistical analysis
- Fluency in English
Soft skills
- Ability to conduct a collaborative project
- Autonomy
- Ability to work with multidisciplinary and international team members
- Excellent communication and writing skills
Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Although the nominal duration of the contract is 24 months, it is expected that this initial contract may be extended up to a total of 5 years.
We guarantee an inclusive and respectful working environment for all diversities.
All our positions are open to individuals with disabilities.
Please send your CV, a cover letter, and contact information for 2 references to Arthur.lefevre@isc.cnrs.fr