Research Assistant in Neuroscience Lab

Applications are invited for a 1-year research assistant position in neuroscience at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), Aarhus University, Denmark. We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to join our team. Our lab focuses on investigating the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 1–year position from 1 March, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job Description
The research involves working with animal models (mice) performing behavioral tasks, with a particular emphasis on recording brain activity across different brain regions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform stereotaxic surgeries for precise virus injections and implantations.
• Conduct animal experiments, including behavioral task training and performance monitoring.
• Utilize advanced calcium imaging and electrophysiological techniques to monitor neural activity in real-time.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments and assist in manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field.
• Highly interested in questions of learning and memory neural processes.
• Proficiency in stereotaxic surgery and animal handling techniques.
• Hands-on experience with calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral experiments.
• Proficiency in English, with good writing and speaking skills for effective communication and documentation.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with behavioral scoring tools like DeepLabCut.
• Basic data analysis skills using tools such as Prism, SPSS, or Python.
• Background in optogenetics or advanced neural manipulation techniques.

Who we are
The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University focuses on research in areas like Neurobiology, RNA Biology, and Bioinformatics. It is involved in teaching, international research collaborations, and partnerships with industry, aiming to transfer knowledge and develop new technologies.

Nabavi group - Memory formation and consolidation at the synaptic and circuit levels
The Nabavi group is focusing on how plasticity at the synaptic and circuit levels in the brain relates to behavioral plasticity (learning and memory formation) and how the newly formed memories are integrated into the existing network (cellular and systems consolidation) using rodents as model organism.

https://nabavilab.eu/

What we offer
The department offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• A research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• A work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Ole Worms Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Dr. Sadegh Nabavi [email protected].

Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 7 February 2025.

Application procedure
Short-listing is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: [email protected]

Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Neurobiologi/Neurobiology

Deadline: 07 February 2025

Location: Aarhus C Universitetsbyen 81