Postdoctoral Position in Cross Species Neural Circuit Biomarkers of Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease

This postdoctoral position is based in the Department of Dementia and Neurodegeneration at the University Hospital for Geriatric Medicine Felix Platter (UAFP) in Basel. The role offers strong academic and infrastructural links to the Department of Biomedicine and the Department of Clinical Research at the University of Basel, enabling close interaction with leading technology platforms and interdisciplinary research networks. The research group led by Prof. Marc Aurel Busche is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to develop and apply human neural circuit measures that are sensitive to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and to link these measures to mechanistic circuit readouts in model systems. The lab combines human neurophysiology (MEG, EEG, and related approaches), cognitive and behavioural paradigms, and computational modelling with high resolution circuit recordings in mice (two photon calcium imaging, high density Neuropixels electrophysiology) and molecular profiling (including spatial transcriptomics). Our goal is to identify translatable circuit signatures of disease vulnerability and progression, and to establish biomarkers that can support early detection and therapeutic monitoring. The post is embedded in a uniquely translational setting at UAFP, with close interaction with clinical services and patient cohorts in the Memory Clinic and Old Age Psychiatry. The post holder will also benefit from active collaborations with Prof. Busche’s group at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, enabling shared projects, methodological exchange, and cross site training. This is an outstanding opportunity to help shape a cross-species circuit biomarker programme at the interface of human disease neuroscience and mechanistic circuit biology, and to develop independent lines of research in a highly collaborative environment.

• Design and lead human neurophysiology studies in ageing and neurodegenerative disease, using EEG and/or (where available) MEG (and related methods), together with cognitive tasks and behavioural quantification.

• Develop sensitive circuit level biomarkers of early disease that can be deployed longitudinally and across patient groups.

• Integrate human circuit measures with fluid biomarkers from blood and CSF, and relate biomarker dynamics to circuit signatures and behavioural change.

• Contribute to interventional and experimental medicine studies, including pre post designs and trial adjacent add on studies, to assess target engagement and circuit level readouts of treatment response.

• Build cross species links by aligning human circuit measures with mechanistic readouts from mouse models.

• Apply computational and statistical approaches to analyse large scale neurophysiological and behavioural datasets.

• Contribute to study design and interpretation across modalities, integrating neurophysiology with molecular and clinical phenotyping, including biomarker informed stratification where applicable.

• Prepare manuscripts and grant applications, and present findings at national and international meetings.

You will join a dynamic and collaborative research environment spanning UAFP and the University of Basel. You will have the opportunity to shape a cross-species circuit biomarker programme with direct clinical relevance, interact closely with clinicians and clinical researchers at UAFP, and leverage the technology platforms and training opportunities available through the Department of Biomedicine and the Department of Clinical Research. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive social benefits, and family friendly conditions. Respect for human values, including diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, are guiding principles of our institutions, ensuring an excellent environment to develop your scientific career.

• PhD in Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related fields.

• Demonstrated expertise with human neurophysiology and brain imaging data, with a strong track record in MEG and/or EEG research (essential).

• Strong analytical and computational skills for large scale data analysis (Python and/or MATLAB) and solid statistical reasoning (essential).

• Experience designing and running cognitive and behavioural paradigms in humans, ideally with patient facing research experience and awareness of ethical and regulatory requirements (essential).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (essential).
  Proven ability to drive independent projects and collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams (essential).

• Interest in ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurodegeneration, and motivation to build explicit cross species translation (essential).

Advantageous but not required:

• Prior experience with rodent circuit methods (Neuropixels, in vivo imaging, or rodent behaviour) or strong motivation to gain this expertise through collaboration and training.

• Experience with computational modelling of behaviour and brain signals, multivariate prediction, or normative modelling.

• Experience with multimodal integration, including linking neurophysiology to molecular or clinical biomarkers.