Postdoctoral positions: neural circuits underlying motor skill acquisition – Chen lab – University of Ottawa

The Chen Lab at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa is seeking candidates for two postdoctoral positions in molecular/system neuroscience.
The Chen lab is specialized in combining chronic in vivo imaging (two-photon microscopy, fiber photometry, GRIN lens imaging) with genetic and molecular approaches to dissect how cell type- and projection-specific plasticity orchestrate long-lasting structural and functional reorganization of the brain’s circuitry in normal and disease brains (Yin et al., Nature Neuroscience 2021; Lee et al., eLife 2022; Yang et al., Neuron 2022).
https://www.schenlabuottawa.com/

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a project that identifies the roles of specialized gene expression programs in distinct excitatory and inhibitory neuron subtypes during motor learning.
• Utilize in vivo imaging techniques to monitor neural activity in cortical and/or subcortical regions
• Analyze data from molecular, genetic, and behavioral experiments.
• Collaborate with lab members and interdisciplinary teams within uOttawa’s growing neuroscience community.

Qualifications:

• PhD in neuroscience or a related field.
• Experience with molecular biology, RNAseq, and mouse behavior
• Experience with coding is an asset (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• A strong track record with neuroscience research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

The researcher will join uOttawa’s Brain and Mind Research Institute (Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; Faculty of Medicine). The neuroscience community is fast expanding, highly dynamic and offers a rich array of collaborative opportunities. For more information about the Brain and Mind Research Institute, visit: https://www.uottawa.ca/research-innovation/brain

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a green, vibrant, multi-cultural city that offers the highest standard of living in the country and ranks second worldwide for quality of life (Numbeo index, 2015). The city features numerous parks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal and is surrounded by an extensive greenbelt. This bilingual, culturally-rich city lies at the border of Quebec and Ontario and is within driving distance of Montréal and Toronto.
Interested candidates should submit electronically as a single PDF file to Dr. Simon Chen at schen2@uottawa.ca. Applications will be considered until a suitable candidate is found.

Please include:

• A personal statement describing research interests, experience, and goals (<2 pages)
• A complete curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information of three references

Contact information

Dr. Simon Chen
schen2@uottawa.ca