We have multiple open positions!
Are you interested in joining our lab as a PhD student, postdoc, or research assistant? We welcome your application! Please send your CV, along with a brief description of your research background, research interests, and future goals, as well as your reasons for wanting to join our lab and how you see your skills fitting with our research. Additionally, provide the contact details of two referees to Sepiedeh (sk2244@cam.ac.uk). If you are applying for PhD or research assistant positions, please also indicate your overall grade for each higher education degree in your CV and ideally provide your degree transcripts. Job ads will be announced on our lab website, but we also welcome informal applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Students
We welcome applications from highly motivated prospective PhD students who are interested in our work and have a strong knowledge of the field. The ideal candidate will have outstanding academic performance, relevant research experience in circuit/systems neuroscience, and excellent communication and analytical skills. We encourage you to get in touch well in advance, at least a year before your intended start date.
Please note that admission to Cambridge is highly competitive. We encourage you to check the requirements for entering our PhD programme and explore the available funding opportunities. Familiarise yourself with the application process and what to expect after submitting your formal application. Please note that we do not accept self-funded PhD students, as we believe in providing equal access to opportunities in academia for all students. For exceptional candidates, there is a possibility of a lab-funded PhD by joining as a research assistant.
We also welcome applications from students who wish to pursue a Master's degree that can eventually lead to a PhD in our lab. However, due to the nature of our research and as a newly established lab, we are currently unable to accept students for short-term projects.
Postdocs
We have funded postdoctoral positions available for exceptional candidates interested in contributing to our research on the neural mechanisms underlying the sense of self-motion and spatial orientation. We are seeking highly driven and skilled candidates who hold a PhD in neuroscience, or related disciplines, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. The successful candidate will have previous experience in circuit/systems neuroscience methods, such as electrophysiology (brain slice or in vivo), in vivo calcium imaging and circuit manipulation techniques. They should also be highly competent in data analysis and analytical skills. Additionally, strong programming skills in Python and/or Matlab, experience in designing and building bespoke experimental setups, and experience in developing quantitative behavioural tasks for rodents are highly desirable.
We would also support fellowship applications for independent postdoctoral funding (See an overview of funding opportunities here) and are open to discussing projects proposed by candidates that fit within the lab's research program. Major fellowships include Wellcome Trust Early-Career Award, as well as Leverhulme Early Career , Newton International, Dorothy Hodgkin, EMBO, BBSRC Discovery, Cambridge Herchel Smith, Marie Skłodowska-Curie , Branco Weiss, HFSP, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science and DFG Fellowships. Other country-specific funding opportunities may also be available. If you plan to apply for postdoctoral fellowships, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and contact us a year in advance of your intended start date.
Research Assistants
We welcome applications from candidates who wish to pursue a PhD in our lab and would like to start working on their project in advance of their PhD start date by joining as a research assistant.
Successful candidates will demonstrate outstanding academic performance (with a solid or outstanding distinction in their master's degree and/or a first-class bachelor's degree). Additionally, they should have prior research experience in circuit/systems neuroscience research, possess strong knowledge of the field, and exhibit excellent communication skills. Highly desirable qualifications include expertise in experimental skills such as stereotactic surgery, animal behaviour, and neurophysiology, as well as proficient programming skills in Python and Matlab.
Research Environment
Our lab is located within the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) at the University of Cambridge.
The University of Cambridge is renowned globally as a leading institution for science and education. Cambridge is home to a strong and vibrant neuroscience community, with research spanning from cellular and molecular studies to cognitive and computational fields. Through initiatives such as the Cambridge Neuroscience Network, this diverse community of over 800 researchers is brought together in various scientific seminars and workshops throughout the year, providing excellent opportunities to build interdisciplinary collaborations. There are also many chances to interact with experts in other fields, including computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, to tackle complex problems in neuroscience.
Cambridge is not only an inspiring environment for scientific research, but also a beautiful and historic city with picturesque gardens and green spaces. It offers a rich cultural and social environment, with world-class museums, theatres, music venues, and numerous student societies and clubs catering to a wide range of interests.
The University
PDN has a remarkably rich history of breakthroughs in the field of neuroscience. Multiple pioneering discoveries at the department on neural transmission, synaptic plasticity, and brain development, among others, have shaped our understanding of the brain today.
Being a part of PDN provides our lab with a unique advantage of having access to cutting-edge resources, world-renowned experts in neuroscience, and a dynamic community of researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Additionally, our lab's research program has a high synergy with the growing cluster of circuits and systems neuroscience groups within the department, with many opportunities for collaborations and scientific exchange.
PDN has a supportive and collaborative research culture, and the regular symposiums and seminars held here provide excellent opportunities for scientific discussion, social interactions, and networking with fellow researchers and faculty members.
The Department
The Lab
At our lab, we prioritise transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity. We believe that diversity and open communication are vital for creating a supportive and productive work environment. We welcome diverse perspectives and encourage constructive feedback and criticism, fostering an atmosphere where each team member can contribute to our shared goals and reach their full potential.
We strongly believe that high-quality mentoring and training lie at the heart of scientific excellence and the cultivation of future generations of scientists. We are dedicated to fostering a research culture that not only emphasises our own success but also promotes the advancement of science through the development of young researchers.
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific conduct in all aspects of our research. We believe that research integrity and ethics are crucial for ensuring the validity and impact of our work. To this end, we actively promote responsible and transparent research practices, including rigorous experimental design, reliable data management and analysis, as well as open and timely dissemination of findings. We also emphasise the responsible use of research funds and resources.