Post-doctoral fellow in Neuroethology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Work duties
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc in the fields of Insect Neuroethology and Computational Science to join David O’Carroll’s Lab. The position is financed by the Swedish Research Council and The Jaensson Foundation.

The successful candidate will assist running the lab, supervise undergraduate and master student projects and conduct research on the effects of neuromodulators and multimodal sensory stimuli on sensory neurons and flying behaviour of insects. 

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The research duties will include: 

• Conducting experiments to track freely flying insects with a multi camera system;
• Designing multimodal stimuli (visual, thermal, hygral and olfactory)
• Computer interfacing to laboratory equipment;
• Electrophysiological recordings from insect visual and multimodal neurons;
• Analysing insect flight trajectories and behaviour using both tracking data and deep learning algorithms;
• Writing manuscripts for publications as well as for presentations and reports.
   

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 date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. 

Additional requirements:

• PhD in Biology with experience in insect neuroethology.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience with multi camera tracking set-ups (camera calibration, synchronisation and fast tracking),
• Experience with applying deep learning algorithms to studying insect flight behaviour,
• Extensive experience of programming in Matlab and Python and computer hardware interfaces to lab equipment

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. 

Additional assessment criteria:

• Experience with toxicological studies on insects,
• Experience with behavioural analysis of flying insects in virtual reality arenas
• Experience in insect neurophysiology, in particular visual physiology.
   

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 and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• complete CV, including a list of publications and the name of two referees,
• a letter motivating their interest in the position and addressing the assessment criteria
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.