Karolinska Institutet, Kardamakis group

The Department of Neuroscience includes several research groups working on different aspects of nervous system function, both under normal conditions and in various disease states. Research projects include a broad range of studies on the molecular and cellular levels, networks of neurons, and the organization of the nervous system as a whole. The Department has a flat organization with 40 research group leaders, of which 24 are full professors, and 65 PhD students.

Teaching represents a fundamental activity at the Department, which participates in several undergraduate courses and postgraduate education programs. Each year approximately 15 students receive their PhD from our Department and many of our graduates have gone onto distinguished careers in the academic or private sector.

Research group
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scientist scholarship in the Kardamakis group to study the neural mechanisms that link visual perception to gaze motor action. One of our current aims is to dissect the role of neuronal subtypes and connections that (re)shape the core spatiotemporal transformations of visual information used to guide orienting movements, hence visual attention. 

Duties

We are looking for an ambitious and creative postdoctoral researcher to interrogate the visuomotor microcircuits in the mouse superior colliculus by using a) large-scale electrophysiological recordings of optotagged populations of intermediate/deep layer projection neurons and interneurons in head-free behaving animals during visual-guided motion, and b) optogenetic stimulation (activation and silencing, with focus on the neocortex and basal ganglia) during behaviour. We will be using a novel behavioural paradigm using advanced tracking systems coupled to custom-built virtual reality systems for the real-time circuit interrogation.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Neurophysiology (awarded no earlier than 2017), with a minimum of two first author publications. 

Candidates should have:
A) documented expertise with extracellular recordings (tetrode or silicon probe) in head-free animals
B) experience with stereotaxic surgeries for targeted viral-vector injections
C) knowledge in computer programming (e.g. Matlab/Python/C++) for the analysis of neural data
D) Experience with mouse behaviour

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Type of scholarship
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent. 

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English:

  1. Curriculum vitae and qualifications, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/meritportfolj )
  2. A complete list of publications
  3. A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

First day of employment as soon as possible
Salary monthly stipend
Reference number 2-6667/2018
Contact
  • Andreas Kardamakis, 072 00 30 834
Published 27.Nov.2018
Last application date 13.Dec.2018 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies