The Rezaval Lab at the University of Birmingham is recruiting three postdoctoral researchers to join a Wellcome Trust funded programme, “Decoding Competition in the Brain”, aimed at uncovering how the brain resolves behavioural conflicts.

Animals constantly face situations in which crucial behaviours cannot be executed simultaneously, such as feeding versus escaping danger. We investigate how conflicting motivations are evaluated, prioritised, and transformed into action. Using Drosophila, we will uncover mechanisms linking molecules, synapses, circuits, and behaviour, revealing general principles of decision-making. We will test how the presence of rivals (competitive pressure) biases these processes, how prior social experience reshapes neural circuits, and whether shared principles govern behavioural choice across sexes.

Successful candidates will contribute to a multidisciplinary programme combining in vivo two photon calcium imaging, connectomics, quantitative behavioural tracking, optogenetics, neural circuit dissection, single cell transcriptomics, and computational analysis to identify mechanisms that link molecules, synapses, cells, and neural circuits to behaviour, and to uncover fundamental principles underlying decision-making.

Projects are flexible and can be shaped by the candidate’s interests, with scope for independent directions. Positions are available for three years, with potential extension, and offer strong opportunities for international collaboration and career development.  

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Conduct experiments, troubleshoot, and analyse data under Prof. Rezaval’s supervision to deliver on this Wellcome Trust research goals
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

Person Specification

• First degree in Life Sciences/Biological Sciences/Genetics/Cell Biology/Neuroscience/Biochemistry or related disciplines, and either a PhD (or near to completion) or equivalent research experience in one of such related disciplines
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Willingness to work in an international, competitive research environment
• Fluency in relevant techniques or methods, and ability to contribute to developing new ones, within the disciplines mentioned above (for example, behaviour, live calcium imaging, genetics, confocal, 2P microscopy, basic programming and/or molecular biology)
• Ability to manage resources efficiently and coordinate work with others
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Desirable

• Experience working with Drosophila, live calcium imaging, molecular biology, Matlab/Python programming and/or behaviour
• A good publication record in neuroscience.

Further details: www.rezavallab.org.