The Vision & cognition group has an exciting opportunity for a PhD student position or a Postdoctoral researcher position to work on the role of feedback connections in the gating of plasticity. 

Project description
Role of feedback connections in plasticity in the mouse visual cortex

Biologically plausible theories of learning in the brain suggested that feedback connections should gate synaptic plasticity. In this project we will test this hypothesis by studying the learning of visual stimuli in the visual cortex while varying the feedback effects, testing stimuli that attract attention and by optogenetic manipulations.

We expect from you:
You are highly motivated, self-driven with a degree in neuroscience, (neuro)psychology, biomedical sciences, natural sciences, material science, mathematics, physics, etc. A high level of written and spoken English and good programming skills are required. You will have experience with neurophysiological techniques, the analysis of neuronal activity in alert animals, and a background in neuroscience.

You should expect from us:

• Mentoring, supervision and training
• Access to state-of-the art infrastructure
• A stimulating international research environment

Appointment
We offer an exciting job at a dynamic research institute and an attractive package of fringe benefits.

The position is for a period of 3 or 4 years in total for a postdoctoral researcher or PhD-student, respectively. The first appointment is for one year with an extension for the remaining period pending on an evaluation.  

Salary
The salary will be commensurate with experience and institutional guidelines based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities; CAO NU). Full time monthly salary for a PhD student is € 2.325,- in the 1st year to € 2.979,-  in the 4th year before taxes. The starting salary for a postdoctoral researcher depends on experience and ranges from € 3.123,- to € 4.274,-.- before taxes.  A 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus are excluded. A 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus are excluded. We offer travel expenses, paid parental leave, flexible working hours, 30 days paid leave per year and help by finding a house.

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is an Academy research institute. It conducts basic and strategic research in the neurosciences. It examines how the human brain makes awareness, perception, movement, learning, social interaction and other cognitive functions possible. It also studies how brain disorders can disrupt these functions.