Job Description - Post-doctoral position in "Hybrid strategies for vision restoration" (25000001)Commitment & contract: two-year contractLocation: Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Genova, ItalyTHE ROLEYou will work in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.The Neuroscience and Smart Materials Research line is coordinated by Prof. FABIO BENFENATI.
The research focuses on:Hybrid electrical synapses for wireless photostimulation.




We demonstrated that polymeric NPs form "electrical synapses" with target neurons that are capacitively depolarized to rescue vision in animal models of Retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
To make photostimulation cell-specific, we plan to functionalize NPs with recombinant antibodies targeting mGluR6, a unique marker of ON-bipolar cells.
This would allow targeting the ON pathway in a gene-free fashion and restoring the ON/OFF signature of retinal processing responsible for spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity.Membrane-targeted photochromic compounds for neuronal photostimulation.
The project aims to investigate novel intramembrane, azobenzene-based actuators that elicit light-triggered neuronal stimulation.
We will exploit these compounds for the brain and retina with nanostructures capable of slow and prolonged release in the nervous tissue.Boost plasticity of the retina and the visual cortex to improve the processing and perception of bionic inputs.
We plan to enhance the plasticity of the retina by either downregulating the transcription factor REST or by environmental enrichment (EE).Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:in vivo studies in experimental models of retinal degeneration,



including in vivo transduction with viral vectorsstudy of the role of cross-modal plasticity in the visual restoration processESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTSA PhD in Neuroscience, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or similar disciplinesDocumented experience in life science research and preclinical modelsGood command of spoken and written EnglishADDITIONAL SKILLSExperience in molecular and cellular biology, ex vivo electrophysiology, and in vivo functional and behavioral studies will be greatly appreciated.Ability to work in a challenging and international environmentCapacity to work autonomously and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environmentPossess analytical reasoning skills and a growth mindsetCOMPENSATION PACKAGEA yearly gross salary ranging between 32,000 and 34,000 €.This open position is financed within the Flagship Technologies for Healthy Living.Please submit your application using the online form, including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter, and contact details of 2 references.Application's deadline: January 25, 2025.
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