Postdoctoral Fellow - Schmack lab

Postdoctoral Fellow - Schmack lab

This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Applicants will be screened as they arrive and therefore this advert may close earlier than the advertised closing date, subject to finding the appropriate candidate.

The Research Group

The Schmack lab studies the biological mechanisms underlying psychosis. Our goal is to develop new biological treatments for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and to generate fundamental insights into how the brain generates perceptions and thoughts. We are working on the interface of psychiatry, neuroscience and immunology. We are committed to visionary and rigorous science that is driven by shared passion and individual growth, and that pushes the boundaries of biological knowledge relevant to disease. We study human patients and mice using a range of methods including psychometric experiments, computational modelling, targeted neural circuit manipulations, and immunological techniques.

Lab web page: https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/katharina-schmack

Project summary

We are seeking a postdoctoral scientist who will study the biological mechanisms underpinning psychosis-like experiences to find new treatment targets for psychosis. Suitable candidates should have a strong background in fields such as systems neuroscience or related areas, as well as a strong interest in immunology and psychiatry.

Psychotic disorders are devastating conditions that are characterized by altered perception and thought. Progress in the treatment of psychotic disorders has been limited because of a stagnating understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. One reason for this stagnation is that psychosis is exclusively defined by subjective symptoms that are difficult to study biologically. Previously, we showed in humans that psychotic symptoms are related to alterations in ‘hard-wired’ perceptual behaviours. Building on this, we recently developed an approach that combines computational models and behavioural observations to measure psychosis-like perceptions in mice and humans. Using this cross-species approach, we have characterized the function of dopamine-dependent striatal circuits in psychosis-like perception. We use this cross-species approach to investigate how neural circuit dysfunctions and immune alterations give rise to psychosis.

Motivated by the emerging role of the brain in controlling immune responses and the immune system in psychosis, this project will examine the interplay between neuronal dynamics and immune processes in a psychosis mouse model. To this end, the project will employ a variety of techniques from computational psychiatry (e.g., psychometric behavioral tasks, cognitive modeling), systems neuroscience (e.g., high-density electrophysiological recordings, opto- and chemogenetics, endoscopic calcium imaging) and immunology (e.g., active and passive immunization, flow cytometry).

This is an excellent opportunity for a neuroscientist to contribute to a basic science research program relevant to psychiatry. The Schmack lab strives to provide a nurturing environment for all lab members regardless of background with an emphasis on professional growth and career development. Postdoctoral Scientists are expected to lead their own projects and to contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis. Postdoctoral Scientists are further expected to pro-actively develop their mentoring and people management skills and to guide PhD and other students in their research. All lab members are expected to commit to the lab’s vision (see Research Group above) and to actively contribute to a productive and positive lab atmosphere.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

• PhD in neuroscience or related fields, or in the final stages of PhD submission
• Motivation to generate and pursue independent scientific questions with potential relevance to psychiatry
• Advanced programming and data analysis skills as evidenced by previous projects
• Track record of writing scientific papers as evidenced by published or submitted manuscripts
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a highly multi-disciplinary team
• Willingness to actively contribute to a productive and positive lab atmosphere

Desirable      

• Experience in neurophysiological research in mice or other animals (e.g., electrophysiological or optical recordings, optogenetics)
• Experience in running behavioural experiments in mice or other animals (e.g. using state machine control systems such as Bpod)
• Experience with open science and software tools (e.g., standardized data formats such as NWB, version control system such as git, collaboration projects such as osf.io)

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion