Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as memory problems and attention deficits are partially caused by deteriorating effects of oligomeric amyloid beta (oAbeta) on synapses. This ZonMW-funded research project is based on the discovery that oAbeta selectively affects synapses utilizing glutamate receptor subunit GluA3. We will study the function of GluA3-containing synapses during visual learning, and the consequences of their deterioration in a mouse model of AD. We will make use of chronic in vivo two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity in the cortex of genetically modified mice performing a visual learning task.

• PhD in neuroscience, (neuro) psychology, biomedical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, physics
• A high level of oral and written communication skills in English
• Research experience with neurophysiological techniques
• Experience with the analysis of neuronal activity in alert animals
• A solid background in cognitive neuroscience
• Programming skills for the analysis of imaging data
• Experience with computational modelling is considered a plus

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

Postdoc position: full time for a period of 3 years in total. First an appointment for one year; after a good evaluation, the appointment will be extended for another two years.

NIN

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is an institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The institute carries out fundamental and strategic research in the neurosciences with an emphasis on research of the brain and the visual system.

The Levelt lab is part of the Netherlands Institute for Neurosciences and forms part of a dynamic and internationally successful institute. The lab has extensive experience with in vivo two-photon microscopy, electrophysiology and mouse behavior. This project is carried out in collaboration with the laboratories of Helmut Kessels at the University of Amsterdam and Wiesje van der Flier at VU Medical Center. For more information about the lab, please visit: https://nin.nl/research/researchgroups/levelt-group