Postdoctoral / Research Specialist position in Drosophila visual neurophysiology

The Reiser lab (http://janelia.org/lab/reiser-lab) at the Janelia Research Campus seeks a creative scientist to join us in our endeavor to understand circuit transformation in the Drosophila visual system. This is an exciting time to be working on the fly visual system—one of the best described complex circuits in neuroscience—now perfectly suited for a deep functional investigation cutting across several layers from the photoreceptors to the output neurons.   

The Reiser lab uses imaging, electrophysiological, behavioral, and computational techniques to crack the neural circuits that support vision and navigation in Drosophila. You would apply the latest tools from in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and Drosophila genetics, to functionally map the encoding properties of the output neurons in the fly visual system in response to controlled visual stimuli. After this characterization you may explore either the mechanisms of stimulus selectivity by mapping upstream circuits and/or pursue the pathways that link the detection of specific visual features to defined behavioral programs. Both explorations will make use of optogenetics and neuronal silencing tools to establish functional connectivity. This investigation of visual system circuits will be greatly aided by a unique set of collaborations at Janelia. We work closely with Gerry Rubin’s lab on developing genetic tools to target specific cell types, with the Jayaraman and Card labs on behavioral and physiological methods, and with the Fly EM project team that is producing connectomes at the electron microscopic level of the fly visual system.

This position is ideal for someone who is interested in creatively applying the latest tools to bear on a fundamental question in neuroscience: how do networks of neurons transform simple sensory inputs into more complex representations relevant for behavior? 

Requirements:

1) Ph.D. in neuroscience, biophysics, or a related area

2) Demonstrated expertise in two-photon imaging and/or electrophysiology 

3) Significant experience with designing and adapting instrumentation 

4) Strong quantitative background 

Applicants with previous experience working on visual or other sensory systems, and an interest in quantitative animal behavior are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet these requirements, but possess related interests and talents should send an email. Janelia is an exciting research environment (near Washington, D.C.), with abundant opportunities for collaboration. We work closely with many other labs, as well as Janelia’s Scientific Computing and Instrumentation Design groups. You should expect to contribute to projects in/with other labs, and your own work will benefit from working with nearby colleagues. Interested applicants should apply by email; please include your curriculum vitae and research interests, and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to:

Michael Reiser (reiserm@janelia.hhmi.org)

Janelia Research Campus / Howard Hughes Medical Institute

19700 Helix Drive

Ashburn, VA 20147

Interested applicants who plan to attend the SfN meeting in Washington, DC (November 15-19, 2014) are especially encouraged to apply ASAP so there will be time to arrange an in-person meeting.

If you have specific salary requirements, please include them in your e-mail; all information is confidential.  HHMI is an equal opportunity employer.