Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

Location: Central Cambridge

Applications are invited for a research assistant position in the lab of Dr. Sepiedeh Keshavarzi at the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (https://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/), University of Cambridge. 

The position involves investigating the organisation and function of neural circuits underlying spatial orientation, funded by the Wellcome Trust. The project provides the opportunity to integrate behaviour, electrophysiology, and circuit manipulation across neural circuits underlying the sense of direction, using the mouse model. For more information about the lab's research questions and approaches, please visit https://www.keshavarzilab.com/. 

Key Experience and Competencies: 

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with prior experience in cellular or systems neuroscience research.

Essential criteria include:

• A first-class degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience or a related discipline.
• A strong foundation in neurobiology with critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
• Expertise in rodents behavioural training 

Preference will be given to candidates who additionally demonstrate:

• Experimental expertise in any of the following techniques: VR environments for animal training, electrophysiology, stereotactic surgery, circuit manipulation
• Programming skills (Matlab, Python) for the analysis of behavioural and neurophysiological experiments. 

Role summary: 

The role involves developing and conducting novel behavioural experiments to study spatial orientation abilities in mice, recording neural activity using electrophysiology techniques, manipulating specific circuits with opto- and chemogenetics, as well as designing and performing data analysis.

The post holder is additionally permitted to undertake a postgraduate course at the University.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please submit a CV, including your overall grade for each higher education degree, and a cover letter addressing the following: 

• Your motivation for joining the lab.
• How your research skills align with the job description.
• Your research ambitions and career goals.

Please provide the contact details of two individuals who can serve as references.

Closing date: midnight on 19th August 2026. Please note that we will be reviewing applications on a regular basis. We reserve the right to close the position early once the available position is filled.

The post is available from October 2026 onwards for 1 year.

Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Sepiedeh Keshavarzi (sk2244@cam.ac.uk). 

Please quote reference PM50648 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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