A postdoc position is available in the group of Romain Brette in the Vision Institute, Paris, France, in collaboration with Alexis Prevost and Laetitia Pontani from Laboratoire Jean Perrin, to work on the development of a model of the action potential of Paramecium, a “swimming neuron”. More details here: http://romainbrette.fr/postdoc-offer-modeling-the-action-potential-of-a-swimming-neuron/

Paramecium is a large unicellular eukaryote organism which swims in fresh water using its cilia. When it hits an obstacle, mechanosensitive channels open, depolarize the membrane and trigger a calcium-based action potential. In turn, the action potential triggers a reversal of the swimming direction, followed by a change of direction. This is called the “avoiding reaction”, and it is the basis of most Paramecium behavior. The goal of the global project is to develop an integrative model of Paramecium, that includes: sensory transduction, excitability and motility. In other words, a model of the behaving Paramecium in an environment.

The specific project for this postdoc is to develop a Hodgkin-Huxley type model of the action potential of Paramecium, together with a phenomenological model of electro-motor coupling, that is, the relation between membrane potential and cilia beating. Technically, the work will involve performing appropriate electrophysiological measurements and then developing and fitting models.

The funding is for 12 months (possibly more depending on grant results). Although this may seem short, the project is already well advanced, as we have developed simple reliable ways to do electrophysiological recordings on Paramecium and already collected a number of recordings.

Prior experience in electrophysiological recording is not a requirement as it can be learned. Be aware, however, that the work does involve a fair amount of experimental work (but on a model organism that is simple to handle). Conversely, we are also welcoming applications from electrophysiologists with little experience in modeling.

To apply, please send a CV and emails of two references to romain.brette@inserm.fr. Do not hesitate to ask for more information. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.