Are you interested in how brain-wide networks contribute to cognition across the lifespan? And how events early in life may affect neuronal circuits and thereby behavior later in life? This project aims to better understand the neuronal mechanisms of how the cerebellum computes and adapts internal models to optimally behave in a dynamic and social environment.

You will study this using a systems neuroscience approach, combining in vivo electrophysiology (Neuropixels) from cerebellum and forebrain areas with behavioral paradigms in rodents. Specifically, you will investigate neuronal circuits in the cerebellum and connected brain areas to various external factors, ranging from social touch to early cannabis exposure (a collaboration with Dr. Rixt van der Veen, Brain Plasticity Group).

Behavior paradigms include social interactions between conspecifics, and tickling rodents to expose them to expected and unexpected social touch. You will then investigate how exposure to these external factors influence cognitive and motor skills later in life. In addition to performing behavioral experiments and implantation of silicon probes for recordings, analysis of behavior and of the electrophysiological recordings will be a substantial part of this project.

This project is part of the Cellular and Circuit Neuroscience research line headed by Dr. Marlies Oostland. The research line is embedded in the Cellular and Computational Neuroscience Group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS, Faculty of Science). The Cellular and Computational Neuroscience Group investigates functional and structural connectivity in the brain by using electrophysiology and imaging techniques to study how synaptic strength and network activity are changed from developmental stages to the aged brain. You will be supervised by Dr. Marlies Oostland and Prof. Helmut Kessels.

What are you going to do?
As a PhD student you will develop into an independent researcher. Your tasks and activities will include:

• completion and defending of a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• participating in the design of the research project;
• performing behavioral tasks and in vivo electrophysiological recordings in rodents;
• analysis, interpretation, and presentation of the obtained data;
• publication in international journals and presentations at (inter-)national meetings;
• participating in meetings within our Cellular and Computational Neuroscience group, as well as

SILS and Faculty of Science seminars;

• actively participate in the department’s educational programs, possibly including the supervision of

undergraduate or master’s level students;

• participating in our PhD training program (ONWAR).

What do we require?
You are/have:

• an enthusiastic, motivated, and dedicated scientist with a (research) master’s degree in Life Sciences (e.g. Biomedical Sciences,

Neuroscience) or related area and you have a strong affinity for the research topic;

• excellent and relevant research skills as demonstrated by your master’s thesis or other publications/assignments, with practical

experience in the lab and with behavioral studies (preclinical mouse/rat models) and are preferably in possession of the

Article 9 certificate;

• experience in or an affinity for programming, preferably in Python and R;
• excellent analytical and communicative skills in oral and written English and a clear and concise writing style;
• organized, independent, detail-oriented, pro-active, perseverant in the face of a setback, and a pleasant colleague able to work in an international team with a collaborative mindset.

Our offer
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 1 November 2024. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2.770 in the first year to €3.539 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Questions?
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation?

Please contact: Dr. Marlies Oostland (m.oostland@uva.nl)

About the Faculty of Science and the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 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 an institute of the Faculty of Science. This institute contains 16 research groups (with approximately 240 employees) that work on one of the four themes: Microbiology, Cell & Systems Biology, Green Life Sciences and Neuroscience.

Within the Cellular and Computational Neuroscience group, we are interested in the brain’s unique capacity to process information and translate it into behavior. To increase our understanding of brain function, we investigate functional and structural connectivity in the brain by using electrophysiology and imaging techniques. We study how synaptic strength and network activity are changed from developmental stages to the aged brain. In addition, we investigate how dysfunction in cellular and network activity contributes to brain disorders.

Application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 16 August 2024. You can apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a motivation letter stating why you are interested in this project and why you are the right fit for this project and our group,
• a CV, including your research experience,
• the names and contact information of two references (no letters of recommendation are required at this stage).

Please mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

We will invite potential candidates for interviews in August/September 2024.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

No agencies please.