Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life.

About the Research Group

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join a newly established research group at the Faculty of Medicine and MultiPark, Lund University. Our research aims to understand how microglia dynamically modulate neural circuits to influence memory formation and extinction, both under normal conditions and in psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety- and fear-related conditions) and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The successful candidate will work at the interface between circuit neuroscience and microglia research, utilizing advanced methods such as two-photon microscopy, miniaturized microscopy (miniscopes), optogenetics, behavioral analysis, and transcriptomics.

Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Lead independent research projects within the research group's program.
• Perform in vivo calcium imaging and behavioral experiments.
• Analyze data regarding neuronal and microglial activity (e.g., calcium imaging data).
• Conduct immunohistochemical analyses as well as morphological analyses of microglia and neurons.
• Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and research grants with support from the research group when possible.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position

• A PhD in neuroscience or a related relevant field.
• Practical experience with in vivo calcium imaging (of neurons or glial cells).
• Experience in microglial biology or neuroimmune interactions.
• Experience with behavioral experiments.
• Strong skills in data analysis, preferably using MATLAB or Python for calcium imaging data analysis.
• FELASA B certification for working with mice or equivalent competence.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with optogenetics or chemogenetics.
• Experience with transcriptomics data analysis.
• Experience with models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
• Ability to develop independent research directions.

Preference will be given to applicants who have obtained their PhD no more than three years before the application deadline.

What We Offer

We offer an inspiring and supportive research environment where you have the opportunity to develop an independent research profile. You will receive support and supervision in grant applications, career development, and access to modern and advanced infrastructure for neuroscience research and imaging.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for two years, with the possibility of extension.

About the Employment

The position is a fixed-term postdoctoral appointment for two years, with a tentative start date of September 1, 2026, or as agreed.

The position is full-time.

A postdoctoral appointment is fixed-term for two years and can be extended to a total of three years according to the collective agreement for postdoctoral researchers (Swedish Agency for Government Employers). The purpose of a postdoctoral appointment is to serve as a first step in a scientific career and provide the opportunity to develop and deepen competence as a researcher.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via Lund University's recruitment system.

The application should include:

• A cover letter motivating your interest in the position and describing how your qualifications and experience match the role.
• Degree certificates.
• A complete curriculum vitae (CV).
• Any other relevant documents you wish to submit, such as transcripts, contact details for professional references, recommendation letters, or similar.

The Faculty of Medicine is a business area within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. The education is conducted in close collaboration with healthcare services and is firmly rooted in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a broad field within experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 3,000 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

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