Laurent Venance's lab (https://venancelab.wordpress.com/) is recruiting a highly-motivated student for a PhD. The main subject of the project will be to focus on the signatures of plasticity in dorsal striatum during procedural learning. Using 2-photon calcium imaging at the network and subcellular levels in behaving mice, we will dissect the synaptic landscape dynamics used to accommodate novelty learning in dorsal striatum. We already identified that during motor-skill learning dorsal striatum expresses region-specific plasticity (Perez S, et al. Cell report 2022). The project aims at linking how distinct plasticity signatures could endow dorsal striatum with complementary capacities in memory acquisition and stabilization. The successful candidate should be highly motivated to contribute to our efforts on dissecting mechanisms of neural circuit and synaptic plasticity at play during procedural learning and novelty experience. The candidate is expected to take a leading role in 2-photon imaging experiments (data acquisition and analysis), aligned with plasticity and behavioral performance. Experience with 2-photon imaging, electrophysiology, data analysis and programming experience are a significant plus. The position will be financed by ANR grants from Nicolas Gervasi for 3 years. Laurent Venance's laboratory is located at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology of the College de France - a world-class research institute which accommodates 16 interdisciplinary research groups and part of the PSL University. Work in the Venance Lab is supported by state-of-the-art facilities in optical imaging, FabLab, histology, mechanic workshop, genomics. The Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology is based in the center of the vibrant city of Paris (France), which offers an exceptional scientific and cultural environment. Please submit your application, including your CV, motivation letter and email addresses for 2 referees at nicolas.gervasi@college-de-france.fr
