PHD STUDENT POSITION “MAPPING THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN ADOLESCENT SLEEP LOSS AND ALCOHOL USE AT THE MOLECULAR, CIRCUIT, AND BEHAVIORAL LEVEL ” – 3 YEARS

Position.
Ph.
.
Student Deadline.
29 July Employment Start Date.
1 November Contract Length.
3 years City.
Camerino Country.
Italy Institution.
University of Camerino Department.
School of Pharmacy and School of Biosciences Description.
The Laboratory of Brain and Sleep Research is offering 1 PhD position in “theoretical and applied neuroscience” for a project entitled.
“ Mapping the interplay between adolescent sleep loss and alcohol use at the molecular, circuit, and behavioral level ”.
The Fellowship is sponsored by The Harvard-Armenise Foundation and Unicam.
To apply.
https://www.
nicam.
t/bandi//bando-n-del-   Project description The research project seeks to understand the intricate relationship between chronic sleep restriction (CSR), alcohol consumption, and synaptic connectivity in the adolescent brain, particularly focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and connected brain regions.
Epidemiological evidence suggests a bidirectional link between sleep problems and alcohol use disorders (AUD), yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
Utilizing a preclinical model, the project aims to elucidate the impact of adolescent CSR and alcohol drinking on synaptic connectivity, mPFC circuit function, and behavior.
Through advanced techniques such as in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetic modulation, 3d electron microscopy and single nuclei transcriptomics, the study will investigate the effects of CSR and alcohol consumption on mPFC connectivity and synaptic refinement.
Additionally, the project aims to explore novel therapeutic strategies to reverse the morphological, functional, and behavioral alterations associated with adolescent CSR and alcohol drinking.
The research offers a unique opportunity for a PhD student to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research and advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying AUD.
Candidates with a background in neuroscience, biology, pharmacy, physics are encouraged to apply.
The position promises to provide valuable insights into addiction and sleep research while offering a collaborative and dynamic research environment.
The scientific environment The lab aims at understanding the role of sleep and the mechanisms that regulate it.
One main line of research wants to address the role of sleep in promoting mental health.
Sleep disturbances are comorbid with most neuropsychiatric disorders, often preceding disease onset by many years.
However, it is not clear whether, and to which extent, sleep impairment is a causal factor of the disease.
Our research aims to map the molecular, cellular, circuit and behavioural consequences of sleep impairment across the lifecycle and to characterize the interaction between sleep disruption and other environmental and genetic factors.
The research goal is to use this knowledge to develop novel and personalized strategies of prevention and treatment of mental conditions.
To this goal, we combine a variety of approaches, including in vivo recording of neuronal activity, neuromorphological studies of brain cells, molecular biology, and behavioral testing.
The lab explores also scientific questions linking sleep to glial cells, gut microbiome, cellular metabolism, adipose tissue, torpor, etc, thanks to the collaboration with other research groups within Unicam and outside.
Some of the collaborators in Unicam include Prof.
Roberto Ciccocioppo (pharmacology and addiction), Prof.
Esi Domi (emotions), Prof.
Valerio Napolioni (epigenetics), Prof.
Anna Maria Eleuteri (gut microbiome), Prof.
Emanuela Merelli (computation).
For further information check.
https://www.
sr-laboratory.
rg/ https://armeniseharvard.
rg/scientists/luisa-de-vivo/ For inquiries.
Preferred Research Skills and Competences The ideal candidate has a genuine interest for neuroscience and sleep research, a proactive attitude in studying relevant literature, formulate plausible hypothesis and experiments to test them.
Self-motivation and ability to work both alone and in team are essential characteristics.
Background in neurophysiology is desirable.
An interest in assembling circuits and other electronic components (e.
.
Arduino), and basic knowledge of Matlab or Python could be of advantage.
The University of Camerino (UNICAM) UNICAM is a ‘city campus university’ chartered in , with about undergraduate students, and 180 PhD candidates, of which ~40% are foreigners.
For a substantial number of programs in foreign languages and a high percentage of international students, UNICAM has been top rated for international orientation ( U-Multirank report).
Moreover, UNICAM hosts the International School of Advanced Studies, responsible for coordinating interdisciplinary PhD programs that span upon the major key research areas of the University, including Life and Health Sciences, and Science and Technology.
UNICAM has excellent research facilities including m 2 vivarium fully equipped for mouse and rat breeding, maintenance and behavioural testing, sleep monitoring and electrophysiology recordings, equipped histology labs, wet labs with all basic molecular biology and biochemistry equipment, light, confocal and electron microscopes.
UNICAM campus offers an interdisciplinary environment with experts in diverse fields of science, national and international collaborations with other universities and industry.
The campus offers also housing for students and excellent facilities for indoor and outdoor sports.