"Research Assistant in Systems Neuroscience"

Research Assistant in Systems Neuroscience

Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics

Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK

Contract & job type: Fixed-term, Full-time for 12 months

About us: At the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) we undertake discovery science where we reassemble physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organisation. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. We are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Overview of the role: We are seeking a research assistant under the supervision of Wellcome Fellow Dr. Michael Lynn, working in Prof. Armin Lak’s research group. This opportunity involves working on an exciting project seeking to characterize the role of frontal cortical serotonin in complex decision-making and economic valuation. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, self-motivated, and willing to work effectively as part of a larger team, as well as having prior wet lab research experience in either systems neuroscience or biology. In this role, you will work closely with Dr. Lynn and other lab members, employing cutting-edge optical imaging tools and computational analyses to determine how spatial and temporal features of cortical serotonin track economic variables and guide behavioural choices. Your responsibilities will include running daily decision-making experiments on mice, maintaining mouse lines, performing histological experiments, measuring and manipulating neural signals using optogenetic and optical tools, and analyzing the resulting datasets using modern computational tools in the Python language.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage own research and administrative activities, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues
• Determine the most appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses, and identify suitable alternatives if technical problems arise
• Select, follow, and adapt experimental protocols
• Train mice on decision-making paradigms
• Perform histological dissection and analysis
• Assist in maintaining mouse lines and breeding pairs
• Assist in experiments seeking to measure and manipulate neural activity
• Participate in guided analysis of multidimensional datasets using modern computational tools
• Contribute to scientific reports and journal articles and the presentation of data/papers at conferences
• Responsible for general laboratory management and administration, including stock control of laboratory consumables
• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone
• Contribute to discussions and share research findings with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups

Selection criteria:

• Hold a first degree in biological sciences or a related field
• Prior experience working in a wet laboratory
• Solid understanding of basic systems neuroscience concepts
• Sufficient understanding of basic data analysis and computational neuroscience concepts
• Ability to manage own research and administrative activities
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write text that can be published, present data at conferences, and represent the research group at meetings
• Experience of following and adapting protocols and selecting appropriate experimental methodologies
• Commitment to engaging with, and promoting awareness of, equality, diversity and inclusion and embedding these into your work.

What we offer: Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

While this is a full-time role, we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

How to apply: Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 27/02/2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 16/03/2026, and will be held on Microsoft Teams. Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Follow us: Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk