Open PhD and Postdoctoral Positions in Rodent Social Neuroscience at University of Bern University of Bern in Switzerland

The Department of Neurology at the University of Bern and Inselspital University Hospital Bern Experimental Neurology Center (ZEN) in Switzerland is offering fully funded PhD, postdoctoral, and technical positions in the field of rodent social neuroscience. The research group, led by Prof. Pegah Kassraian, focuses on the behavioral, neural, molecular, and circuit-level mechanisms of social cognition in rodents, with strong links to clinical research. Experimental approaches include in vivo calcium and neurotransmitter imaging, optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques, and computational analysis of behavioral and neural data in controlled and semi-naturalistic social environments.

These positions are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Faculty of Medicine, providing ample opportunities for career development in an international and collaborative environment. The postdoctoral researcher will lead the design, execution, and analysis of experiments, supervise junior researchers, and contribute to publications and presentations. The PhD student will conduct independent research as part of the SNSF project and enroll in the doctoral program at the University of Bern, receiving comprehensive training in experimental neuroscience. The laboratory technician will support both lab management and experimental research, including equipment maintenance and data collection.

Applicants for the postdoctoral position should have a PhD in Neuroscience, Medicine, Biology, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, or a closely related field, with strong experimental and quantitative skills. PhD candidates should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and demonstrate motivation for independent research. The group values interdisciplinary and translational approaches. The expected start date is August 2026 or by mutual agreement.

For more information and application details, candidates are encouraged to visit the University of Bern and ZEN websites or contact the research group directly. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in social neuroscience, rodent behavior, neural circuits, and advanced experimental techniques.