PROJECT: Salamanders can swim underwater and walk on ground. Their spinal cord regenerates after a full transection and the animal recovers voluntary locomotion after a few weeks. How this occurs is largely unknown. Genetic dissection of salamander neural circuits is now feasible with methods for manipulation, elimination, and visualization of genetically-defined cells. Such approaches can be combined with patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, tracing and movement analysis (Ryczko et al. 2020 Trends in Neurosciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2020.08.006). The candidate will use electrophysiology (patch-clamp recordings), calcium imaging and movement analysis based on deep learning and neuroanatomy to study salamander locomotor circuits. This project is funded by a synergy grant of the ERC. The work will be carried out in collaboration with a team of modelers and roboticists (Pr. Ijspeert, EPFL, Switzerland) and experts in genomics (Pr. Simon, Karolinska Institute, Sweden).
REQUIREMENTS: The candidate should have completed a MSc in neuroscience. The ideal candidate would have experience in electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, virus injections, deep learning-based movement analysis, matlab scripting, and a keen interest in motor control.
HOST LABORATORY: The lab of Dr. Ryczko has expertise in the neural control of locomotion and publishes in excellent journals (PNAS, Science, Science Robotics, Journal of Neuroscience…). The lab receives grant support by the CIHR, NSERC, FRQS, CFI and ERC. We are equipped for patch-clamp recordings, confocal and two photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, viral injections, deep learning-based movement analysis, and microscopy (confocal, light-sheet, two-photon, STED).
APPLY: Candidates should send a letter of interest explaining how they would fit, a CV, a record of their academic results and three references at: dimitri.ryczko@usherbrooke.ca. Please specify where you found the job post.
