Pegah Kassraian

The research group of Professor Pegah Kassraian at the University of Bern, Switzerland, is recruiting for several fully funded positions in rodent social neuroscience, including a postdoctoral scientist, PhD student(s), and a laboratory technician. The lab, opening in April 2026 and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Faculty of Medicine, is part of the Department of Neurology and the Experimental Neurology Center (ZEN) at the University of Bern. The group investigates the behavioral, neural, molecular, and circuit-level mechanisms of social cognition in rodents, with close links to clinical research. Experimental approaches include in vivo calcium and neurotransmitter imaging, optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques, circuit manipulation, and computational analysis of behavioral and neural data in controlled and semi-naturalistic environments. The lab offers a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, with strong national and international connections and ample opportunities for career development. For the postdoctoral position, candidates must have a PhD in Neuroscience, Medicine, Biology, Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, or a closely related field, with strong experimental and quantitative skills. The PhD position requires a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Medicine, or a related discipline, with experience in rodent behavioral assays and programming/data analysis skills considered a plus. The laboratory technician role requires a Bachelor’s degree or higher in life sciences, experience in rodent experimental research, and relevant certifications. All positions are fully funded, with the postdoctoral and technician roles offered as 2-year contracts (with possible extension) and the PhD position as a 4-year contract. The anticipated start date is August 2026 or by mutual agreement. Interested applicants should prepare their application materials and apply promptly. For more information, visit the provided links or contact the lab directly.

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.