Natalia Goriounova

The Human Neurons in Cognition Lab at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, led by Associate Professor Natalia Goriounova, is recruiting for both PhD and Postdoctoral positions. The lab's mission is to unravel the specialized cellular function and architecture underlying human cognition, with a particular focus on the vulnerability of specific neuron types in Alzheimer's disease, such as Layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons and Double Bouquet Cells. The research is funded by an ERC grant and offers a rare opportunity to work with acute human neurosurgical tissue, utilizing advanced techniques including patch-clamp electrophysiology, viral labelling, bioinformatics, and computational modelling. PhD candidates should have a background in neuroscience and experience in cellular electrophysiology, while postdoctoral applicants are expected to have a strong publication record and a keen interest in human brain research. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, linking genes, neurons, cortical areas, and cognition by combining multi-scale data from the same human subjects. Research activities include studying the function and gene expression in human neurons from neurosurgery, relating neuronal properties to cognitive function, and applying computational models to understand mechanisms of cognition and disease. Both positions are based in Amsterdam within a collaborative and international team. The project investigates how specialized neuron types act as hubs in cognitive networks and what makes human cognition unique. The research also explores how these neurons are affected in neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to provide insights into the cellular basis of intelligence and cognitive decline. Applicants are encouraged to apply via the VU Amsterdam recruitment portal by June 1, 2026. For further information or informal inquiries, candidates may contact Natalia Goriounova at [email protected]. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated researchers interested in neuroscience, human cognition, and advanced cellular neurobiology techniques.