Postdoctoral Researcher (1-year-initial appointment) - Experimental Systems Neuroscience of Positive Emotions and Social Play
A postdoctoral position is available in the Research Group for Neurobiology of Positive Emotions led by Dr. Shimpei Ishiyama at the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry (Lead: Prof. Dr. Valery Grinevich), Mannheim, Germany.
Our laboratory investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying positive emotions and social play, aiming to establish a mechanistic understanding of positive affect using state-of-the-art systems neuroscience approaches in rodents. We combine in vivo electrophysiology, quantitative behavioral analysis, circuit manipulation, computational analysis, and anatomical approaches to understand how playful affective states are represented and regulated in the brain.
The laboratory is embedded in an active neuroscience environment and benefits from close interactions with the University of Heidelberg and neighboring research institutes.
Our laboratory investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying positive emotions and social play, aiming to establish a mechanistic understanding of positive affect using state-of-the-art systems neuroscience approaches in rodents. We combine in vivo electrophysiology, quantitative behavioral analysis, circuit manipulation, computational analysis, and anatomical approaches to understand how playful affective states are represented and regulated in the brain.
The laboratory is embedded in an active neuroscience environment and benefits from close interactions with the University of Heidelberg and neighboring research institutes.
The position
The initial appointment is for one year. The ideal candidate is an ambitious experimental neuroscientist who aims to develop an independent research program. During the appointment, the successful candidate will be encouraged and supported to develop applications for competitive external postdoctoral fellowships as part of establishing an independent research trajectory.
Essential qualifications
- PhD in neuroscience or a related field.
- Extensive hands-on experience with in vivo single-unit electrophysiology in freely moving rodents.
- Experience with rodent behavioral experiments.
- Experience with stereotaxic surgery, including viral microinjection.
- Experience with neuronal perturbation using optogenetics and/or chemogenetics.
- Experience with immunohistochemistry and histological verification.
- Strong quantitative data analysis and programming skills (Python and/or MATLAB).
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with fiber photometry experiments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and optimize experimental hardware and workflows.
- Research experience in affective circuit neuroscience, particularly involving the amygdala, hypothalamus, or prefrontal cortex. Experience with computational or mathematical approaches to neural data analysis
What we offer
- A varied and challenging position within a committed and dedicated team.
- A collegial working environment that encourages initiative and supports new ideas.
- Internal and external training and professional development opportunities.
- Family-friendly working hours and part-time work options.
- Excellent accessibility and a central location in the heart of Mannheim.
- Workplace health promotion, including special rates for sports and fitness activities.
- Corporate benefits and additional local discounts.
- A discounted public transport ticket (Deutschlandticket).
- The opportunity to contribute to the development of a growing research program in the emerging field of affective neuroscience.
- Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and technologies in systems neuroscience within a highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment.
- Salary in accordance with the TV-L collective agreement, including additional occupational pension benefits through VBL, pay grade E13. Placement within salary steps 1–6 will depend on the candidate's individual qualifications and professional experience. Support in conducting open and reproducible research.
Application
Please submit the following documents as a single PDF to shimpei.ishiyama@zi-mannheim.de:
- One-page summary of your previous research achievements.
- One-page research statement describing what you would like to accomplish in our team and how it fits your long-term career goals.
- Curriculum vitae including a complete publication list.
- Names and contact information for two references.
- One representative code sample (e.g. link to GitHub repository or equivalent).
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) stands for internationally outstanding research and pioneering treatment concepts in psychiatry and psychotherapy, child and adolescent psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, and addiction medicine. The ZI supports Open Science.
We are committed to equal opportunities
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in the event of equal suitability. The ZI aims to increase the proportion of women in all areas and positions in which women are currently underrepresented. Qualified women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. Full-time positions can generally be divided into part-time positions, provided that operational or legal requirements do not prevent this.