Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of:

Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

 

Number of available positions: 1

Place of work: Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind

Researcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2/R3

Field of science: Neuroscience

Type of recruitment: Sonata Bis NCN grant

 

Project description:

Background:

Every time when we think, make a decision, add digits in the mind or even when we put new phone number to our smartphones, we used cognitive capacity called Working Memory. Working Memory is a capacity to hold and manipulate a small chunk of information in our minds. Our intellect is based on this “thinking stage ground”. Surprisingly we know very little how our neuronal networks inside our, human, brains make it happened. This is because direct recordings of neurons in human brain is very difficult. It is possible only during treatment of different disseises when we need to put in to human brain because of clinical reasons. This project will take advantage of unique opportunity to directly record activity of human neurons during procedure of implantation Deep Brain Stimulation electrode to help people with a variety of conditions. We will record neuronal activity directly from Frontal Cortex, in area called Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and from the nucleus located deep inside the brain called Substantia Nigra. Both areas play key function in Working Memory. This project for the first time will characterize activity of neurons in these areas when subjects perform tasks using Working Memory.

Aim:

In the project, we plan to test a hypothesis that information currently held in our minds – thoughts - is represented by activity of specific cells which are also responding when we see given concept. It was showed that this mechanism is observed in animals, but we do not know if similar phenomena is also observed in human brain? Moreover, we will also probe function of neuromodulator called dopamine in Working Memory. It is thought that dopamine can act as a gating mechanism protecting content of Working Memory from distraction. Substantia Nigra is a key nucleus producing dopamine in the brain. During the research, we will record from this nucleus and ask subjects to memorize images for few seconds during which they face distractors. Additionally, we use weak electrical stimulation to test if disturbing local activity of dopaminergic cell will impact our ability to face distractors. Finally, we will also test what is the relation between activity of neurons and brain oscillation during Working Memory. Brain oscillation are one of the most prominent feature of brain electrical activity but relationship between activity of neurons and ongoing oscillation is not well understood. The result of this project will give us much better understanding of neuronal mechanism supporting Working Memory. This will inspire new ideas for treatments of many neurological and psychiatric diseases like ADHD, Schizophrenia or Depression as they are characterized by WM disturbance and abnormalities in the DLPFC and the dopaminergic system.

 

Scope of work:

• Planning and conducting experimental work (research conducted during epilepsy monitoring),
• Data preprocessing and analysis (analysis of intracranial electrophysiological signal),
• Data management, manuscript preparation,
• Supervision of PhD students.

 

Application procedure and deadline:

Applications should be sent to postdoc@nencki.edu.pl with note: “JK postdoc” till May 9th

 

Required documents:

• CV,
• Letter-of-intent/motivation letter
• 2 letters of reference,
• Copy of PhD diploma (or equivalent)
• Contact information, including e-mail address and phone number,
• Statement by the candidate that he/she will not receive remuneration from other projects funded by the National Science Centre.
• Declaration that the candidate will not take up other jobs during the period of employment in the project.

You can use the foreign equivalent of a Polish academic degree if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

• is covered by the provisions of an international agreement on the equivalence of education,
• was issued by an authorized institution operating in an EU, OECD or EFTA Member State,
• was issued in another country and recognized on the basis of the regulations
• on the recognition of academic degrees obtained abroad (learn more about
• the procedure for the recognition of academic degrees:

https://nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/recognition-for-professional-purposes/recognition-of-scientific-degrees-and-titles

 

For more information please contact: Jan Kamiński j.kaminski@nencki.edu.pl

Link to website: https://nencki.edu.pl/laboratories/laboratory-of-neurophysiology-of-mind/