Ref: #PK109414 Τύπος: Μερική Απασχόληση / Συμβόλαιο

Μηνιαίος μισθός: € 3,500 - 4,500

PARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Post-doctoral researcher in Systems Neuroscience and Circuit Physiology Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher

Location: University of Cyprus (UCY), Nicosia, Cyprus; Translational Neuropharmacology Lab (Zanos Lab) – www.zanoslab.com

Duration: 1-2 years (re-newable)

Salary: €3500-€4500 / month, gross salary; Competitive, commensurate with experience.

The Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus announces one full-time (140 hours/month) Post-Doctoral position in Systems Neuroscience and Circuit Physiology. We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Translational Neuropharmacology Lab, a dynamic environment focused on neural circuits in addiction, mood disorders, neurodegeneration, and environmental neurotoxicology. This position is funded through grants from the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) and a Horizon Europe Hop-On Facility grant.

The employment of persons who have reached the age of 65 years old, at the commencement date of employment, is prohibited.

The successful candidate will lead cutting-edge experiments integrating circuit-level manipulations and functional readouts to dissect mechanisms of opioid relapse, negative affect in addiction, reward/mood regulation, novel pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders, and/or pollutant-induced neurodegeneration/Alzheimer's disease vulnerability.

The filling of the position is subject to the availability of funding. Applicants need not be citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. Applicants should however ensure, before applying, that in case they are selected they will be residing in Cyprus on a full-time basis during the employment period; submission of application implies acceptance of this condition.

Duties and responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, focusing on synaptic plasticity, circuit dynamics, and behavioral outcomes in mouse models.

• Analyze and integrate multi-modal data (electrophysiology, calcium imaging, EEG) to uncover causal links between molecular perturbations (e.g., gene editing, pollutant exposure) and circuit-level impairments.

• Mentor junior lab members, contribute to grant reporting, and co-author high-impact publications.

• Participate in dissemination activities in scientific conferences and public outreach.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or related field (awarded within the last 5 years).

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating expertise in rodent models and systems neuroscience.

• Excellent skills in data analysis.

• Strong communication skills; experience with grant writing is a plus.

• Proficiency in at least 3-4 of the following techniques:

✓Ex vivo slice electrophysiology: Patch-clamp and/or field potential recordings in mouse hippocampal slices.

✓In vivo fiber photometry/calcium imaging/miniscopes: Real-time monitoring of neural activity in freely-behaving mice.

✓Optogenetics: Viral vector design, fiber optic implants, and light-mediated circuit manipulation.

✓In vivo mouse electroencephalography (EEG)/electrocorticography (ECoG): sleep architecture and biomarker identification for translational applications.

✓Molecular assays: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting/qPCR.

✓Behavioral paradigms in rodents: Tests for reward, mood, memory, and relapse (e.g., conditioned place preference, forced swim test, novel object recognition).

Employment terms

The position is on a year contract basis. The monthly gross salary is equal to €3500-4500 Employee contributions will be deducted from the above amount. The position does not include a 13th Salary bonus. Starting time is negotiable at the maximal flexibility.

Application process

Interested candidates should submit the following items, as a single PDF file, via e-mail to [email protected]:

• Cover letter (1-2 pages) outlining research interests, fit for the lab/projects, and career goals

• Curriculum Vitae in English (including full list of publications and contact info for 3 references).

• Copy of the Ph.D. degree.

• The names and contact details of at least two referees.

Application deadline: Rolling applications until March 15, 2026.

For more details and other information, interested individuals may contact Dr. Panos Zanos, by email: [email protected]

The best 3 candidates that satisfy the required qualifications, will be interviewed by a 3-member Committee.

Candidates shall be informed of the result of their application by the relevant entity.

The University of Cyprus shall collect and process your personal data according to the provisions of the General Regulation on Personal Data 2016/679 (EU). The University of Cyprus (UCY) is committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality, as well as the elimination of all forms of discrimination in order to provide a fair, safe, and pleasant environment for the entire university community, where students and staff members will feel supported both in their professional and personal development, within and beyond their multiple identities. To this end, UCY seeks to create the necessary conditions that will encourage and respect diversity and ensure dignity both in the workplace and society at large. Moreover, UCY has adopted specific policies to promote equal opportunities, as well as respect and understanding of diversity, while it is committed to promoting and maintaining a working, teaching, and learning environment, free from any form of discrimination, whether direct or indirect.