Seeking a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (W23040) Laboratory for distributed cognitive processing

[Background of the recruitment and description of the project]
* details of the business
RIKEN is Japan's largest and most comprehensive research organization for basic and applied science.

[Work content and job description]

[Work location]
* Address
Saitama

[Number of hired]
Job content supplemental explanation:[Laboratory]
Laboratory for distributed cognitive processing, Center for Brain Science,
(Laboratory Head: Lukas Ian Schmitt)

[Research field]
A key area of research within the lab is investigation of the neural mechanism for cognitive flexibility, and we started a new line of work focusing on curiosity. By combining various methods (rodent cognitive behavior tasks, electrophysiological methods, imaging and optogenetics etc.), we will examine how the various types of curiosities such as perceptual curiosity, curiosity for novelty or intellectual curiosity are generated in the brain and affect other cognitive functions.

[Job title and description]
Job title, available positions:
Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist 1 position
Postdoctoral Researcher is defined as those with a doctoral degree of 5 years or less.
Research Scientist is defined as those with a doctoral degree more than 5 years.

Job description:
The successful candidate will take the lead in assessing neural dynamics related to the curiosity via either high density neural recordings of spiking neurons or measurement of dopamine signaling using dopamine sensor in the relevant brain regions (such as PFC, striatum etc.) of mice performing newly developed behavioral tasks. They will also help to lead complementary experiments employing optogenetic interventions to test the functional roles of different brain circuits. Finally, the candidate will be expected to analyze behavioral/neural/dopamine dynamics. Candidates with experience in such paradigms and/or in completing survival surgeries in rodents or analytical work will therefore be given preference.

[Work location]
Branch and address:
RIKEN Wako (2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198)
RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

[Start of Employment]
As early as possible

[Keyword]
Curiosity, Cognitive Flexibility, Learning, Dopamine, Decoder, CognitiveTask, Electrophysiology, Optogenetics, Imaging, Rodents, PFC, Striatum