Research Associate in Neuroscience of Sleep and Trauma

The role

We are seeking a Research Associate to work on an MRC funded project to research the role of sleep in processing traumatic experiences and how this may lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Emotional processing is thought to rely on a complex interplay between limbic-cortical areas of the brain including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Sleep is known to play an important role in this processing, where the coordination of network oscillations including ripples, spindles, and slow-waves, optimise limbic-cortical dialogue and tune the integration of memory into long term storage. Cell assemblies, groups of neurons that temporally and functionally organise to encode information, that are active during learning, reactivate during these network oscillations of sleep. Replay of hippocampal place cell sequences during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) supports consolidation of spatial memories. In contrast, there is significant evidence from human studies that REM sleep, and theta activity, are instrumental in processing emotional memories. However, sleep reactivation in this context has only been partially explored and no studies have assessed this in relation to intense emotional experiences such as trauma.

You will be joining an interdisciplinary and collaborative research team led by Dr. Ross Purple to investigate how trauma-related cell assemblies across limbic regions of the brain reactivate during sleep and how this differs in animals that are susceptible or resilient to PTSD-like symptoms.

What will you be doing?

You will be conducting in-vivo electrophysiology experiments using Neuropixels in a rat model of PTSD including surgical implantation, recordings, and analyses. You will also be involved in:

• Design and implementation of models of trauma, use of conditioned stimuli for closed/open loop stimulation, and behavioural tests of anxiety
• Matlab-based and/or Python-based analysis of neuronal recordings including cell assembly and sleep analyses
• Writing of team presentations, conference presentations and manuscripts
• Supervision of PGR students and other less experienced team members

You should apply if

You have PhD (or near completion) in a neuroscience related discipline. Experience of in-vivo multi-channel neurophysiological recordings and analyses is preferable. Candidates with expertise in silicone probes and Neuropixels are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience in sleep physiology, behavioural studies of fear/anxiety, and/or closed loop stimulation is preferable, but not essential.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended (fixed term for 2 years)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Thursday 18th June 2026

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 1st July 2026

For informal queries please contact: Dr Ross Purple, Research Fellow, via email: ross.purple@bristol.ac.uk

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