Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
The postdoctoral fellow will explore synaptic processes and white matter pathways between remote brain areas in vivo in animal models that underlie plasticity in the prefrontal cortex of mice. We will focus on neuronal micro- and macro-circuits that influence our feeding behavior, which includes the prefrontal cortex with a focus on selection between stimuli of different value and its plasticity. The project will be carried out by applying “all optical physiology” methods, i.e. a combination of calcium imaging with optogenetics, in freely behaving animals in Paolo Medini’s lab, in collaboration with Olof Lagerlöf and UmU’s new visiting professor Valentina Emiliani.
Tasks
The postdoctoral fellow will work with animal models (mouse) with a combination of techniques to measure and influence micro- and macro-circuits in vivo. Techniques include one/two-photon microscopy, electrophysiology, chemo-optogenetics. Behavioral measurements will be performed in collaboration with Olof Lagerlöf’s group. The postdoc will image (and influence with opto-chemogenetics) the network representation of stimuli of different economic/hedonic value and its plasticity with two-photon microscopy. Other methods such as functional MRI and PET can potentially be included to study plasticity in macrocircuits.
Eligibility
Eligible to be employed as a postdoc is someone who has completed a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree that is considered equivalent to a doctoral degree, in biomedical or physical subjects relevant to the execution of the project. This eligibility requirement must be met at the latest at the time the employment decision is made.
Requirements for employment: documented experience with neurophysiological methods, in particular imaging of brain networks, chemo-optogenetics in behaving animals.
Since the position as a postdoc is a merit position for junior researchers, we primarily target those who have a doctoral degree that is not older than three years from the application deadline. If there are special reasons, a person who has completed a doctoral degree earlier may be considered. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, positions of trust within trade unions or other similar circumstances, as well as service/assignments relevant to the subject area.
Meritorious knowledge and experience:
Documented experience of behavioral measurements in animals and programming with Phyton/Matlab is a meritorious achievement. Documented experience with calcium imaging and/or optogenetics, as well as behavioral measurements is particularly meritorious.
More about the position
The position is a full-time fixed-term employment for three years according to the terms of the agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow.
More information about the group's research can be found on our website
A brief description of your research interests and a reason why you are interested in the position.
CV
List of publications
Degree certificates from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
Letters of recommendation from two referees
The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received no later than December 1st, 2025.
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
