Closing date: Open until filled
Positions available: 1 - 2
The Lab
The Laboratory of Sleep and Synaptic Plasticity at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research is seeking a highly-motivated postdoc candidate, with an excellent record in critical thinking to join our lab. We employ multi-disciplinary approaches, including Drosophila genetics, quantitative fly behavior analysis, electrophysiology, and neural circuit mapping and manipulation, to understand the molecular and cellular basis of sleep and its function in the brain. The successful candidate will investigate the roles of sleep in synaptic plasticity in flies and the synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying these sleep-dependent processes. The postdoc will also have considerable freedom to develop their own projects in line with lab interests. For more information: http://www.flysleeplab.com.
Key Publications
Liu, S.*, Lamaze, A.*, Liu, Q., Tabuchi, M., Yang, Y., Fowler, M., Bharadwaj, R., Zhang, J., Bedont, J., Blackshaw, S., Lloyd, T.E., Montell, C., Sehgal, A., Koh, K.*, and Wu, M.N.* (2014). WIDE AWAKE Mediates the Circadian Timing of Sleep Onset. Neuron 82(1):151-166.
Liu, S.*, Liu, Q.*, Tabuchi, M., and Wu, M.N. (2016). Sleep Drive is Encoded by Neural Plastic Changes in a Dedicated Circuit. Cell 165, 1347-1360. (Previewed in Cell) (Recommended by Faculty of 1000).
Tabuchi, M., Monaco, J.D., Duan, G., Bell, B., Liu, S., Liu, Q., Zhang, K., and Wu, M.N. (2018). Clock-Generated Temporal Codes Determine Synaptic Plasticity to Control Sleep. Cell 175, 1213-1227. (Previewed in Cell)
The Candidate
Candidates require:
- A PhD degree (or will obtain one in 2019) in any field of neurobiology (molecular, cellular, system, developmental or neuroethology) or related disciplines.
- A good track-record of publication.
- Strong experience with one of the following technical skills: patch-clamp electrophysiology; sharp electrode recordings; in vivo functional imaging; 3D CLEM and neuronal tracing; computer vision and quantitative behavior analysis.
- Previous research experience with Drosophila neurobiology is a plus but not required.
What is Offered
- A versatile and challenging job with very diverse interactions in a world-class research environment, and various opportunities to broaden your expertise.
- Excellent training in both technical and career skills.
- A creative and collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities in the institute (including super-resolution microscopy, and block-face scanning EM, etc.).
How to Apply
Please send:
1. A cover letter including previous research experience and motivation
2. A detailed CV
3. Contact information for 3 references