Location: Genova and Roma, Italy
WHO WE ARE
At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society (see our Strategic Plan online for an overview of IIT’s goals). This project will involve active participation from two groups within the Brain and Machines flagship program of the IIT, ensuring a truly interdisciplinary experience.
YOUR TEAM
You’d be working across two multicultural and multidisciplinary groups, where biologists, pharmacologists, psychologists, medical doctors, mathematicians and bioengineers collaborate, each with their own expertise, to carry out common research goals.
The ‘humans team’ is led by Dr. Giacomo Novembre, who is the PI of the Neuroscience of Perception and Action Unit at the IIT in Rome (website: https://npa.iit.it)
The ‘genetics team’ is led by Dr. Francesco Papaleo, who is the PI of the Genetics of Cognition Unit at the IIT in Genova (website: https://geco.iit.it/).
The research focuses on a multidisciplinary research project to: 1. Investigate whether emotion recognition is supported by intersubject neural synchrony and 2. Characterize intersubject neural synchrony at both macro (system, humans) and micro (circuit,) levels identifying neural computational principles underlying multibrain dynamics.
To achieve this goal, we will integrate human and non-human neuroscience methods. For the latter, we will use a combined approach that tightly links advanced behavioral outputs (e.g., social tasks including emotion recognition) with cell-specific circuit-level manipulations using in vivo chemo- and optogenetics, in vivo miniscopes, in vivo fiber photometry, and in vivo electrophysiology. For humans, we will utilize state-of-the-art behavioral methods (body kinematics, video-based analysis of facial movements, eye tracking) combined with multiperson (dual EEG) recordings.
For reference to recent non-human work, please see: Maltese et al., Nature Neuroscience 2024; Dautan et al., Nature Neuroscience 2024; Scheggia et al., Nature Neuroscience 2022; Scheggia et al., Nature Neuroscience 2020; Ferretti et al., Current Biology 2019; Scheggia et al., Nature Communications 2018.
For reference to recent human work, please see: Bigand et al., Current Biology 2024; Koul et al., NeuroImage 2023; Novembre et al., Trends in Cognitive Sciences 2021.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU SHINE
· A PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology, Statistics, Medicine, Genetics, Bioengineering, Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related fields.
· Documented experience on in vivo experimentation
· A strong publication record.
· Experience in coding and, ideally, signal processing.
· Experience in running multiperson experiments or analyzing multiperson datasets.
· The ability to properly organize, report and publish research data.
· Documented experience in mentoring junior scientists.
· Excellent spoken and written English.
Other important skills evaluated
· Experience in brain circuits manipulations.
· Good communication skills.
· Strong problem-solving attitude.
· High motivation to learn.
· Spirit of innovation and creativity.
· Good in time and priority management.
· Ability to work in a challenging and international environment.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
· Competitive salary package for international standards
· Private health care coverage
· Wide range of staff discounts
If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and apply!
Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications) and contact details of at least 2 referees.
Application’s deadline: February 28th 2025
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