Job Details
Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – Kohl Lab
Reports to: Jonny Kohl
Working pattern: Full-time, fixed-term (4 years)
Salary: From £47,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Closing date: 10th of June 2026 at 23.59
About the role
The Kohl lab is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead an ambitious project aimed at reconstructing the cell-type-specific connectome of the mouse hypothalamus. You will combine viral tracing, spatial transcriptomics, and computational analysis to uncover how molecularly defined hypothalamic neuronal populations are interconnected to control instinctive behaviours and physiological states.
The work will implement BRISC (Barcoded Rabies In Situ Connectomics), a recently developed method that combines barcoded rabies tracing with in situ sequencing to map long-range synaptic connectivity at high throughput and cellular resolution. The resulting datasets will link neuronal identity, spatial organization, and connectivity across hypothalamic circuits.
The project will involve close interaction with computational and experimental collaborators and offers the opportunity to work at the interface of systems neuroscience, spatial transcriptomics, and data science.
What you will be doing
- Lead an independent and ambitious research project aligned with the above aims
- Develop and implement custom viral tracing and spatial transcriptomics workflows, including experimental pipelines, data acquisition, and analysis
- Generate, analyse, and interpret high-quality datasets
- Establish and maintain close collaborations with computational and experimental researchers within and beyond the institute
- Provide scientific and technical support for group members
- Manage data, conduct analyses, and write up manuscripts
- Present findings at scientific meetings
- Guide PhD students in their research
About you
- PhD in Neuroscience or a related field, or in the final stages of PhD submission
- Experience with viral tracing, circuit neuroscience, systems neuroscience, or related approaches
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and coding skills (particularly in Python)
- Experience handling and analysing large-scale biological datasets
- Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in refereed journals
- Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings
Minimum Criteria
- Essential criteria described in the Role Profile must be met to have the application reviewed
What will you receive
- Visas: eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK
- Generous leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays
- Pension scheme: defined contribution with employer contributions up to 16%
- Health & Wellbeing: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services, mental health support programs, eye care vouchers, discounted healthcare plans
- Work‑Life Balance: backup care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options, Crick Networks support and inclusive social events
- Perks: discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, shopping discounts, subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces
Equality and Diversity
The Francis Crick Institute is a charity committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences are encouraged.
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