Postdoctoral research fellow position at the University of Sussex (Brighton, United Kingdom, 3 years)

Placed on: 10 March 2023. Closing date: 1 May 2023. Applications must be received by midnight of the closing date. Expected start date: 1 Aug 2023

Background

A BBSRC-funded Research Fellow position is available at The School of Psychology at the University of Sussex. The laboratory is part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary Sussex Neuroscience’ research community on campus, consisting of systems, behavioural, molecular, and computational neuroscientists. The University of Sussex campus is located just 10 minutes away from the famous seaside city of Brighton.

This is a collaborative project between the Koya and Singer Labs, which investigate the neural mechanisms of cue-evoked appetitive behaviours in motivation and reward circuits. The aim of this project is to investigate the role of neuronal ensembles in the nucleus accumbens in the emergence and suppression of the spontaneous recovery of food seeking.  Specifically, you will examine the specific neuronal adaptations (synaptic and excitability) and in vivo activity patterns in accumbens neuronal ensembles that drive and suppress spontaneous recovery. These investigations will be conducted using a combination of tools, such as in vivo fibre photometry and ex vivo electrophysiology (patch-clamp) techniques.

It is a full time job considered up to a maximum of  1.0  FTE. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need). The salary will be starting at £36,333 rising to £43,155 per annum, pro rata if part time.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

Requirements

  • Have a strong background in behavioural or systems neuroscience research and a desire to work independently and collegially in a collaborative environment.
  • Be a PhD/DPhil degree holder in neuroscience or a related discipline (e.g. experimental psychology).
  • Have experience in monitoring rodent brain activity (e.g. in vivo or via Fos immunohistochemistry) or ex vivoelectrophysiology in rodents.
  • Experience in conducting behavioural experiments in appetitive learning and programming languages, such as Python, are desirable.

How to apply?

Download our academic application form [DOC 199.50KB] and Personal Details and Equal Opportunities Form [DOC 119.50KB] and fill in all sections.

Email your completed application, and personal details and equal opportunities form, to jobapps@sussex.ac.uk

You should attach your application form and all documents to the email in PDF format (we are unable to accept applications as google.docs or .pages) and use the format job reference number / job title / your name in the subject line.

You can also send your application by post to Human Resources Division, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.

Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code however to meet the minimum salary requirement this is dependent on the salary you are offered and/or whether you are eligible for tradable points. If you require visa sponsorship from the University of Sussex to undertake this role please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information. If you want further advice on sponsorship eligibility please contact HRCompliance@sussex.ac.uk

Please contact Eisuke Koya (E.Koya@sussex.ac.uk) or Bryan Singer (B.F.Singer@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

Useful links

For the terms and conditions summary for research faculty: Download our terms and conditions summary for Research faculty [PDF 11.39KB]

For additional information about the job offer: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/jobs/research-fellow-ref-4589

To find out more about their values and EDI Strategy,  Inclusive Sussex, on our webpages.