Research Specialist in Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis (80-100%)

Join an Innovative Research Community

The Biozentrum of the University of Basel stands as a premier institution in life sciences, home to 32 research groups and 500 professionals dedicated to pioneering discoveries in biology and medicine. Our community prides itself on its internationalism and collaborative spirit, having produced numerous influential studies and several Nobel Laureates.

About the New Facility

We are excited to announce the establishment of the Dietschy Facility for Tissue Science, a cutting-edge core unit designed for the systematic exploration of individual cells in intact tissues. This facility will harness advanced methodologies including spatial transcriptomics, sophisticated microscopy techniques, volumetric imaging, neuronal activity mapping, and multimodal data analysis, with an initial emphasis on neuroscience. We seek enthusiastic candidates to contribute to this interdisciplinary initiative.

Your Role in the Research Initiative

This position plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of neuronal and behavioral datasets through the development and maintenance of extensive data-processing pipelines. Responsibilities include:

• Enhancing pipelines for spike sorting, calcium imaging signal extraction, neuron tracking, and automated behavioral analysis.
• Establishing efficient data storage, compression, and transfer systems for extensive experiment data.
• Creating user-friendly data-analysis workflows that span preprocessing to visualization, while training others in their application.
• Integrating diverse datasets (activity, behavior, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics) into cohesive analytical frameworks.
• Employing advanced statistical and machine-learning methods to analyze relationships among gene expression, neuronal activity, and behavior.
• Conducting statistical modeling focused on temporal trajectories and population dynamics across large neuronal populations.
• Collaborating with microscopy and image-analysis specialists to ensure comprehensive interoperability across the facility.
• Providing analytical consultation and guidance for research teams engaging with high-dimensional datasets.

What We Expect

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A PhD in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, or a relevant quantitative field with a strong background in neuroscience.
• Expertise in neuronal data analysis techniques including spike sorting and calcium imaging.
• Experience in behavioral tracking and the integration of multimodal datasets.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, scientific computing, and pipeline development.
• Knowledge of machine learning, dimensionality reduction, clustering, and statistical modeling.
• Strong communication abilities, a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, and aptitude for mentoring students and postdocs.

Why Join Us?

Engaging with our vibrant research community means access to a state-of-the-art facility and technological platforms that are pivotal for groundbreaking interdisciplinary research. The position offers comprehensive funding, and remuneration aligns with institutional standards. Initially a two-year commitment, there is potential for extension following a positive evaluation.

Located at the cultural crossroads of Switzerland, Germany, and France, Basel is not only a leading hub for life sciences but also a city rich in cultural diversity and high living standards.