PhD Position in Systems Neuroscience: The Lépez-Bendito Lab at the Instituto de Neurociencias (UMH-CSIC), Spain, a leading center in developmental and systems neuroscience, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a newly funded project supported by the Spanish Agency of Research. This ambitious project aims to uncover how early spontaneous neural activity patterns interact with genetic transcriptional programs to shape sensory cortical organization during development.
Fully Funded PhD Position in Developmental and Systems Neuroscience
Position Details
Designation: PhD Student (Fully Funded – FPI Scheme)
Research Area: Developmental Neuroscience, Systems Neuroscience, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Transcriptomics, and Bioinformatics
Location: Instituto de Neurociencias (UMH-CSIC), Alicante, Spain
Eligibility / Qualification
We welcome applications from outstanding and enthusiastic candidates with:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related fields
- Knowledge in bioinformatic analysis of scRNA-seq, RNA-Seq, ATAC-seq, and ChIP-seq datasets
- Experience with expression data analysis and transcriptomics workflows
- Skills in data-science techniques (e.g., regression, machine learning)
- Proficiency in signal, image, and video processing
- Working knowledge of Linux and programming expertise (e.g., R, Perl, or Python)
- Good knowledge of R and Bioconductor libraries
- Experience in laboratory research (rodent models or molecular techniques is a plus)
- High motivation, critical thinking, and ability to work independently as well as in a team
- Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written)
Job Description
The selected PhD candidate will work on cutting-edge research exploring the interaction between neural activity and gene regulation during cortical development. Responsibilities include:
- Conducting single-cell and spatial transcriptomics of brain tissue
- Performing tissue sample preparation and in vivo perturbation of candidate genes using CRISPR
- Developing and applying advanced bioinformatics workflows
- Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team in a state-of-the-art research environment
- Presenting research in national and international conferences
What We Offer
- A 4-year fully funded PhD position (FPI scheme)
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment
- Supervision and mentoring by internationally recognized leaders in developmental neuroscience
- Opportunities for advanced training in neurotechnologies, bioinformatics, and scientific communication
- Participation in collaborative research networks at both national and international levels
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send the following documents to gbendito@umh.es:
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- A brief motivation letter
- Contact details of two referees
Deadline for Applications: 15th October 2025
Start Date: Flexible, ideally January 2026
👉 For more information about the lab, visit: https://lopezbenditolab.com
