Post-doctoral researchers in the Social Brain Lab

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The Social Brain Lab, has pioneered the investigation of the mechanisms of empathy by combining rodents and humans research. We are currently looking for an ambitious postdoc that will lead the efforts to use functional ultrasound imaging data to study the circuit dynamics of social interactions.

You will help optimizing image acquisition sequences and parameters, developing data analyses pipelines, and unravel the circuit dynamics of rodent social behavior. This project will require a combination of advanced analytical and modeling skills together with creative social neuroscience experimentation. You will directly supervise a PhD student already involved in the project and have the opportunity to actively collaborate with the leading scientists from the CUBE (Center for Ultrasound and Brain imaging) consortium. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to closely collaborate with other members of the lab working with complementary expertise on techniques ranging from calcium imaging to electrophysiology in rodents and neuroimaging in humans, on the over-arching theme of the neural bases of empathy and social decision making. We expect you to be independent regarding the computational aspects of the project, leveraging our close collaborations as appropriate, while we guarantee our direct support in developing the necessary social neuroscience competences. By working within the SBL you will have the unique opportunity to bridge and integrate results from rodent and human research.

We expect from you

• PhD in neuroscience, physics or related fields, with a strong analytical character.
• Excellent skills with analytical/computational tools (python, R, matlab, …).
• Interest in social behavior and empathy, and in translational research
• Highly motivated, energetic, detail orientated and capable to work and troubleshoot independently and collaboratively.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• At least one excellent publication.
• Hands-on experience in manipulating hardware and building experimental set-ups
• Actively participating in the lab activities (e.g. helping organizing meetings, supervising students, …)

We would also value

• Experience with ultrasound imaging
• Experience with fMRI data analyses
• Experience with rodent neuroscience experimentation and techniques
• Article 9 (for Dutch researchers or FELASA certificate)

You should expect from us

• Mentoring, supervision and training
• A dedicated ultrasound facility
• Access to a computing facility
• Direct guidance and support toward the acquisition of your social neuroscience expertise
• Support from close collaborators on developing and optimizing paradigm and data analysis for ultrasound imaging
• A stimulating international research environment
• Availability of an in-house helpful and highly competent mechatronic department
• Active support and mentoring in grant writing

Environment

The Social Brain Lab is the results of the joint venture of the research groups of Valeria Gazzola and Christian Keysers, aiming at shedding light on the neural mechanisms of empathy by combining studies in humans and rodents. The SBL is funded by multiple European (ERC, Marie Curie) and Dutch (VIDI, VICI) grants, and is characterized by an unusually diverse environment, with members from all over the world, backgrounds ranging from philosophy to engineering with an emphasis on biology and psychology, and neuroscientific techniques spanning from high field fMRI in humans to ultrasound imaging in rodents. The lab has a tradition of pushing the boundaries of technology and data analyses to further neuroscience questions.

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, and is in close collaboration with the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, which hosts both 3T and 7T scanners and relevant expertise. The institute spearheads Neurotech-NL, the national initiative for the advancement of technologies to measure and alter brain activity.

English is the working language of the research group, the institute and is extremely well spoken in the vibrant and international city of Amsterdam, creating an attractive, progressive and easy-to-integrate environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or status as disabled status, or genetic information.

Appointment

The position is for a period of 3 years in total. The first appointment is for one year with the option for an extension for the remaining period pending on an evaluation.

Salary

The salary will be commensurate with experience and institutional guidelines based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities; (CAO NU). Full time monthly salary for a postdoctoral researcher depends on experience and ranges from € 3.270,- to € 4.474 gross per month, before taxes. A 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus are excluded. We offer travel expenses, paid parental leave, flexible working hours, 30 days paid leave per year and help by finding a house.

Starting date

As soon as the ideal candidate is identified.

To apply

Applicants are welcomed to submit their application through (and only through) the online form at https://forms.gle/5EV2GRwRzqwDeKMC9 until January 28, 2022. The online application will include four sections:

1. general information
2. education and research experience
3. research and personal skills
4. CV, motivation letter and recommendation letters.

For any encountered problems, or further information please email [email protected]

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately, and after about 4 to 6 weeks from the deadline candidates will be informed whether they passed the first round or not. Shortlisted candidates will receive, taking into account candidates’ availability, an assignment to be done within 48h. Based on the results of the assignment, we will organize a 1h Zoom interview followed by a visit on site (if it will be allowed). We foresee a final decision to be communicated within three months after the first submission date. If no excellent candidate can be identified, we might re-advertise the position.

Any acquisition further to this advertisement will not be appreciated