We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a Post Doctorate fellowship to join our team at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia of Genova, Neuroscience and Brain technologies department.
The highly complex structure of the brain is strongly shaped by genetic influences. Subcortical brain regions form circuits with cortical areas to coordinate different behaviors, and alterations of these circuits lead to psychiatric-related abnormalities. In particular, social and cognitive impairments represent one of the earlier, most disabling and incurable symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, a disease with a very high genetic component. To investigate how specific genetic variants functionally affect cortical and subcortical circuits and the associated gene networks, we will conduct RNA-seq gene expression profiling of distinct brain regions of wild-type and genetically modified mice relevant to schizophrenia. Using these data we will characterize the gene networks and pathways related to schizophrenia and linked to its social/cognitive abnormalities. Finally, we will assess how these findings relate and can predict altered gene networks in human subjects from humans’ databases.
The candidate must have a PhD or equivalent degree in bioinformatics, neuroscience, genetics, bioengineering, molecular biology or comparable fields. The successful candidate will be in charge of processing and analyzing the RNA-seq data produced for this project. Candidates with experience in Unix/Linux systems will be preferred.
The research fellowship is intended for a 3-year position.
Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, full publication list, and at least two reference letters. To apply or obtain further information, please contact Dr Francesco Papaleo by email to: francesco.papaleo@iit.it
Website: https://www.iit.it/research/lines/genetics-of-cognition
