A postdoctoral fellowship position is available for the study of the synaptic basis of neural circuit computations underlying cerebellar-dependent behaviors. We have previously shown that the diversity of synaptic strength and plasticity is important for temporal coding of multisensory stimuli. Using theoretical approaches we now hypothesize that synaptic diversity is critical for the perception of temporal sequences of sensory stimuli and temporal learning. This project will test this hypothesis using high-density neural pixel recordings and state-of-the-art high-speed random access in vivo 2-photon imaging of newly developed activity reporters (Ca2+ and neurotransmitter), tools ideally suited for recording the high-frequency spike and synaptic activity of cerebellar neurons. The simplicity of the cerebellar cortical connectivity lends itself to the recording from each of five principle neurons in order to directly test network model predictions of the computations the circuit may perform. Applicants should have previous experience in electrophysiology or in vivo recordings and a good command of signal analysis. The laboratory is multidisciplinary with in situ and in vivo neurophysiologists, physicists (optics), and theoretical neuroscientists working in a highly collaborative environment.
Please send a CV and motivation letter to David DiGregorio (david.digregorio@pasteur.fr).