Position Title: PhD position at University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine
Location: Switzerland
Start Date: From 1st July 2023
Background
The University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine are inviting applications for a 4-year fully funded PhD position in the lab of Prof. Stamatina Tzanoulinou, focusing on brain circuitry of social stress.
Social stress is one of the most common and potent stressors for social species and its longlasting effects are considered relevant for psychopathology in stress- and anxiety-related disorders, such as phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and importantly, delayedonset PTSD. Our lab is particularly interested in the involvement of dopamine and the mesolimbic pathway in social stress and in its delayed consequences. Several mouse lines will be used as model organisms, and the candidate will be combining viral approaches, fiber photometry, optogenetics, behavioral tests and ex vivo electrophysiology recordings to elucidate the brain circuitry of long-term effects of social trauma.
Environment:
The Department of Biomedical Sciences is offering an excellent multidisciplinary environment situated in the Lemanic area with tight connections to a thriving neuroscientific community. The successful candidate will be enrolled in one of two relevant doctoral schools and benefit from interactions and exchanges within a comprehensive network and program. State-of-the art equipment for the techniques involved in the project is already available in our department.
The candidate
The ideal candidate would have a background (Master's degree) in Neuroscience, Life Sciences, Biology, Psychology, or related disciplines. Prior experience with behavioral testing in rodents is not a strict prerequisite, but the successful candidate should be motivated and willing to learn and work with animal models. Experience with whole-cell patch clamp recordings, fibere photometry and/or coding will be considered a plus.
How to apply
Applicants should send a CV, a statement of research interests and two recommendation letters, including the contact details of two referees, to: [email protected] The position would be available from the 1st July 2023 and should start no later than September of the same year.