Postdoc position : Synaptic specificity in cortical and thalamocortical circuits

Overview The VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research is part of the VIB Life Sciences Institute and is embedded within the KU Leuven, which ranks among the world’s top 50 universities. At our Center, researchers study the cellular mechanisms of health and disease in the central nervous system. The De Wit lab (Laboratory of Synapse Biology) at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a collaborative international project on molecular mechanisms of synaptic specificity in cortical and thalamocortical circuits. Description This is a collaborative international project with the laboratory of Anthony Holtmaat (University of Geneva, Switzerland), funded by the Weave cross-European initiative. The project is at the interface of the expertise of the De Wit lab (molecular mechanisms of synaptic connectivity) and the Holtmaat lab (synaptic integration of sensory input and context in cortical circuits). The project will unravel molecular mechanisms of synaptic specificity in cortical and thalamocortical circuits. Our recent work has shown that higher-order thalamocortical inputs and cortical inputs to pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex display striking differences in their synaptic properties, even when intermingled on the same cortical dendrite. This project will explore the molecular mechanisms that mediate this specificity and test how these regulate structure and function of higher-order thalamocortical inputs in cortical circuits. The applicant will use various technologies, including super-resolution imaging, CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing, viral vectors, conditional knockout mice, optogenetics, and in vivo imaging. The successful candidate will be based in Leuven, Belgium. The two labs will interact regularly via Zoom and in-person meetings, and several visits to the Holtmaat lab will be made during this project to transfer skills and exchange results. Your profile We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical, and creative individual to join our team. The successful candidate : Holds a PhD in neuroscience Has at least one first-author research publication in a peer-reviewed international journal Has expertise in molecular and cellular biology and mouse neurobiology Is enthusiastic to drive an ambitious project that bridges the molecular and circuit levels Is motivated to work on a collaborative international project and is a team playerWe offer A versatile and challenging job in a vibrant, world-class international research environment Access to the resources of two host institutions : VIB, an excellence-based research institute KU Leuven, one of Europe’s leading research universities State-of-the-art research facilities An extensive VIB and KU Leuven training program to broaden your expertise and enhance your skill set A competitive compensation package based on expertise and experience Financial support is available for at least 2 years. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension upon positive evaluation. The successful candidate is encouraged to obtain a personal fellowship (Marie-Curie, HFSP, EMBO, or national funding agencies) Starting date : as soon as possible How to apply? Interested candidates should submit their candidacy through the VIB online application tool. A complete application file (English) should contain the following documents : A motivation letter describing your previous research experience Your CV Contact information of at least 2 references For further information and questions, please email Joris de Wit (joris.dewit@vib.be).Links VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Research :  https : / / cbd.sites.vib.be / en# /

Follow the Center on social media :  LinkedIn , X , Instagram , Bluesky State of the art research facilities :  https : / / cbd.sites.vib.be / en / technology Joris de Wit lab :  https : / / dewitlab.sites.vib.be / en Anthony Holtmaat lab :  https : / / neurocenter-unige.ch / research-groups / anthony-holtmaat /