Postdoctoral fellow in Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Navigating the world is one of the most fundamental abilities of animals, from worms to humans. While the strategies to achieve this are versatile, one of the most commonly used mechanism is path integration. Monitoring directions and distances during a journey allows to return to a point of origin in a straight line, at any moment throughout the trip. In this process the brain computes a home vector, an integrated version of the animal’s foraging path. How this is achieved neurally is unknown in any species. Aided by a recent computational model developed by our group, this project will address this question in two ways. Firstly, a novel behavioural paradigm will be created to allow 2D path integration in walking and flying bumblebees, establishing a comprehensive understanding of this species path integration abilities within a controlled indoor environment that can be transferred to a virtual reality setup. Second, extracellular tetrode recordings will be established from the navigation center of the bee brain, the central complex. In a virtual reality environment the walking path integration paradigm and the electrophysiology will eventually be combined to directly observe and manipulate neural activity of central complex neurons during path integration. We specifically aim at illuminating the mechanism underlying the path integration memory and how it is used to guide the bee’s movements during their homing journey.

Work duties

• The successful candidate will work full time on the above outlined research project. It is expected that she/he will actively and creatively develop and optimize the detailed methods to pursue the overall project goals and, after a training period, independently carry out both behavioural and electro-physiological experiments as well as the associated data analysis.
• All work will be carried out embedded in a collaborative research team, requiring sharing of expertise, open discussion of results and facilitating experiments of other team members.
• Active participation at international conferences is expected, as well as dissemination of results in peer reviewed publications.
• While not the main focus of the position, teaching at Master’s student level (lecturing, tutoring) are expected, covering neurobiological and sensory biology content. Teaching will not exceed 20% of total time.
• Opportunities for supervision of degree projects (Bachelor and Master) as well as co-supervision of PhD projects will be provided and active participation in those activities is expected after completion of an initial training period.
• To facilitate development of teaching skills the position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.
• Furthermore, the successful canditate is expected to actively seek independent research funding during the employment period, providing the oportunity to transition towards an independent researcher position.
• Finally, the position includes limited duties in administration related to the work duties listed above

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Multi-year experience in behavioral research in the field of navigation, ideally with path integration; this must include relevant methods of data analysis (video tracking, statistical evaluation).
• Detailed and verified knowledge of path integration as a navigational strategy in invertebrates, including good knowledge of the physical properties of the relevant sensory stimuli (e.g. polarized light, other skylight compass cues).
• Experience in the design, development and troubleshooting of experimental setups in neuroethological research.
• Sound understanding of statistics and proficiency in analysis software (e.g. R, Matlab)
• Ability to independently develop anlaysis scripts either in Matlab, Python, or R.
• At least two published (or accepted) papers in international peer reviewed journals on the topic of invertebrate navigation.
• Experience in histological methods, microdissection, basic electrophysiology, image processing, microscopy and field work are desireable, but not required.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research
• Teaching skills

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than two pages)
• Contact information of two references
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate