The Masset lab,  located at McGill University in Montréal, is recruiting 1-2 graduate students in experimental systems neuroscience for a start in Fall 2026.

The research group integrates ideas and methods from systems neuroscience, experimental psychology and machine learning to understand how the heterogeneity of neuron types endows brain circuits with efficient distributed computations underlying behavior and cognition. We develop and experimentally validate new models of distributed computation in brain circuits including a new understanding of how dopamine-based distributed reinforcement learning could be implemented in the brain. To answer these questions, we perform large scale electrophysiological recordings in rodents performing complex behavioral tasks, build new data analysis tools and develop new classes of biologically plausible neural networks.

Projects would investigate how brain circuits implement distributed computations underlying cognition and behavior within and across brain areas, including dopamine-based RL. Experimental approaches would involve refining and developing complex cognitive tasks in rats, chronic multi-site Neuropixel recordings, and advanced computational methods. The students would work on the experimental side of the lab but would closely collaborate with the computational and theoretical side of the research group to test models of distributed computation and develop and validate new data analysis methods.  Students would also join a strong community at the intersection of neuroscience and AI at McGill and Mila. 

Students are encouraged to apply via both the Psychology program: https://www.mcgill.ca/psychology/graduate and the Integrated Program in Neuroscience: https://www.mcgill.ca/ipn/prospective  IPN application are reviewed on a rolling basis but applying by the Dec 1^st deadline to both programs is strongly preferred.