TheCognitive and Systems Neuroscience (CSN) group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is looking for a highly qualified and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to conduct research activities within the context of a recently awarded European project.

Current research of the group focuses on neural mechanisms of perception, multisensory integration, interactions between sensory and memory systems and conscious representation. These topics are addressed using a variety of methods, such as ensemble recordings and two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, computational modelling and advanced analysis of neural data.

You will join the lab of dr. Umberto Olcese within the CSN group and will be part of an international consortium that aims to develop a new experimental model, based on the use of cerebral organoids, to study sleep disorders related to neurodegenerative diseases.

The main objective of the project is to compare neuronal dynamics during sleep-like conditions in cerebral organoids to natural sleep in an in vivo model. State-of-the-art facilities are available for performing the proposed experiments. An animal facility, as well as biotechnical and ICT support are available.

What are you going to do?
You are going to perform a challenging experiment integrating two-photon calcium imaging in mice and in cerebral organoids.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• develop an experimental setup for large field of view two-photon calcium imaging, for both in vivo applications and for

cerebral organoids;

• co-design and perform imaging experiments;
• analyze the collected data;
• engage with the other project partners and take part in all consortium activities;
• take a leading role in writing scientific manuscripts;
• present results at (inter)national scientific meetings.

You are passionate about neuroscience, particularly about the neuron-level mechanisms of sleep, perception and consciousness. You enjoy and feel comfortable performing experimental lab work, but are also passionate about analyzing the data you collect. You feel comfortable operating on the hardware and software components of experimental setups. You enjoy working in an ambitious research team and are a team player. You have good communication skills as you will be expected to discuss your results in (inter)national meetings.

Your experience and profile
You have/are

• a PhD degree, preferably in systems neuroscience or related field;
• a committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
• significant experience in both the use and the development of setups for in vivo two-photon calcium imaging (hardware and software);
• experience in animal training and behavior;
• experience in the use of cerebral organoids or comparable experimental models;
• experience in computer programming, neural data analytics and/or computational neuroscience;
• in possession of a FELASA B license for animal experiments;
• fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Your willingness to apply to postdoctoral scholarships (e.g. Marie Curie, HFSP) will be positively considered.

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 24 months with a probationary period of two months. The preferred starting date is to be discussed.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,960 to € 4,670 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime contract);
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is one of the Faculty of Science's largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 17 research groups that perform excellent research centered on four themes: Neurosciences, Cell & Systems Biology, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.