Job ID: 122981

Postdoctoral Research Associate: Mapping and Modulating Head-Direction Circuits

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 9 June 2025

Employment Start Date: 15 July 2025

Contract Length: 3 years in the first instance

City: Cambridge

Country: United Kingdom

Institution: University of Cambridge

Department: Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN)

Description:

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in Dr. Sepiedeh Keshavarzi’s laboratory at the University of Cambridge. The lab’s Wellcome-Trust-funded research investigates neural circuits for the sense of direction and self-motion by combining in vivo and ex vivo neuronal recording and manipulation with quantitative behavioural assays in mice. For more details, please visit our website: keshavarzilab.com.

Project Overview

This project will dissect the organisation of head-direction circuits in the mouse brain, with a focus on the retrosplenial cortex and its reciprocal cortical and thalamic connections. In the first phase, you’ll employ slice electrophysiology (whole-cell patch-clamp), circuit tracing and optogenetic mapping to characterize the synaptic and intrinsic properties of defined pathways. In the second phase, you’ll investigate how these circuits remodel during spatial-orientation tasks, probing whether neuronal plasticity is necessary for accurate spatial learning.

Collaborative opportunities will allow you to bridge ex vivo and in vivo approaches. Highly driven postdocs who establish efficient slice workflows may broaden their skill set to include complementary in vivo approaches – ranging from extracellular recordings with Neuropixels probes and two-photon calcium imaging to spatial‐orientation behavioural assays – either independently or in partnership with colleagues specialising in these techniques.

Key Experience and Competencies

We seek a motivated, ambitious researcher with a strong background in cellular neurophysiology and clear interest in the lab’s research program.

Essential:

  • PhD in Neuroscience or a related field (or near completion)
  • Extensive experience with slice patch-clamp electrophysiology and data analysis

Desirable:

  • Experience with optogenetic circuit–mapping (viral delivery, photostimulation)
  • Experience with rodent stereotactic surgery
  • A solid track record of research output

Research Environment

The successful candidate will join a collaborative laboratory committed to rigorous, innovative research and to fostering professional development of its members. We provide funding and logistical support for conferences and workshops, guidance on independent fellowship applications, and ongoing career mentorship.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team – interacting regularly with other neuroscience groups in the Department – and collaborate with both in-house experimentalists and external engineers and computational neuroscientists. The Department’s seminars, along with events hosted by the Cambridge Neuroscience Network, will enrich your experience through further scientific exchange and networking.

How to Apply

To apply, contact Dr. Sepiedeh Keshavarzi at sk2244@cam.ac.uk. Please include:

  1. CV
  2. Cover letter addressing:
    • Your motivation for joining the lab
    • How your skills align with the project
    • Your research ambitions and career goals
  3. Contact details for two referees

Employment Start Date: Available from 15 July 2025 for an initial three-year term; precise start date is negotiable.

Closing Date: 9 June 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may close early once filled.

Salary: £37,847 – £46,292 (Grade 7, starting salary within this range according to the level of experience and with annual progression)

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience particularly encourages women and candidates from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background to apply for this vacancy.

This position is open to both UK-based and international applicants.