Job ID: 123303
PhD or Postdoctoral Position – Circuit Neuroscience and Stress-Related Behaviors
Position: Post-doctoral Position
Deadline: 15 October 2025
City: Quebec
Country: Canada
Institution: Université Laval - CERVO Brain Research Center
Department: Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences
Description:
PhD or Postdoctoral Position – Circuit Neuroscience and Stress-Related Behaviors
Labonté Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
The Labonté Lab, within the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Université Laval, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student or postdoctoral fellow to join an exciting research program focused on the functional investigation of brain circuits and neuronal subtypes involved in emotionally driven and motivated behaviors, particularly in the context of chronic stress.
The selected candidate will lead a project that leverages cutting-edge circuit neuroscience approaches to target, record, and manipulate genetically defined neuronal populations in vivo. The research will explore how specific neuron subtypes in key brain regions—including the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and lateral habenula—contribute to adaptive and maladaptive behavioral responses.
The project integrates a multidisciplinary toolkit, including:
- Viral-mediated gene transfer and intersectional viral strategies to label and manipulate neuron subpopulations
- In vivo Ca²⁺ imaging (using mini-endoscopes or fiber photometry) in freely behaving mice during emotional and cognitive tasks
- Optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations to probe circuit function
- Patch-clamp electrophysiology to study synaptic plasticity
- Integration of existing single-cell RNA-seq, synaptic tracing, and electrophysiological data to guide functional interrogation of identified circuits
This position is part of an ongoing and well-supported research program with strong foundations in molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience.
The Labonté Lab, located at the CERVO Brain Research Center, offers a vibrant, collaborative, and multidisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise. The center also features a rich program of events, including weekly seminars and summer schools. We are strongly committed to the scientific and professional development of our trainees, offering ample opportunities for career advancement, networking, and training in both academic and translational neuroscience. We actively promote the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strive to create a supportive environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and identities.
The lab is located in Québec City, a historic and culturally rich city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region offers a high quality of life and is surrounded by exceptional opportunities for outdoor activities year-round.
We are looking for candidates with:
- A strong interest in behavioral neuroscience and circuit function
- Demonstrated experience in behavioral analysis, optical imaging, and/or electrophysiology
- A high degree of scientific curiosity, motivation, and independence
We encourage interested candidates to apply by sending an email to benoit.labonte@fmed.ulaval.caincluding a motivation letter, CV, 2 reference letters and transcripts.