We have an exciting opportunity for a  Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join us, this opportunity has arisen from The Wellcome Trust grant entitled “Brain networks underlying sleep and circadian rhythm disruption (SCRD) in mental health” awarded to a team of investigators including Professors Jason Lerch and Vladyslav Vyazovskiy, and led by Professor Stuart Peirson. This post will be based at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford.

 

In this proposal, we will explore the role of brain networks linking SCRD and mental illness. Neuroimaging studies have suggested a common neurobiological substrate for mental illness, clustering into overlapping brain networks defined by characteristic spatial and temporal properties. This framework proposes a triple network model of psychopathology, based upon interactions between the default-mode, salience, and central executive networks. We hypothesise that these networks underpin the bidirectional relationship between SCRD and mental illness. We propose that sleep and circadian rhythms play a key role in the regulation of networks - particularly the salience network. Moreover, we predict that the effects of mental illness on the salience network explains why SCRD is commonly observed in these conditions, in turn exacerbating their severity. This bidirectional model explains why interventions that improve SCRD help ameliorate the aberrant function of these networks and can improve clinical symptoms.

 

To test this hypothesis, we will study the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in the regulation of functional networks using animal models. Mouse models have provided fundamental insights into the mechanisms of SCRD, enabling the contribution of specific neuronal circuits and genes to sleep/circadian behaviour. We aim to explore the interactions between SCRD and functional brain networks. Specifically, we hypothesise that the salience network is regulated by both the circadian clock and sleep. We predict that SCRD will impair the function of the salience network and that manipulations of the salience network will cause SCRD. To address this hypothesis, the postholder will undertake MRI and behavioural experiments in wildtype and transgenic mice.

 

The post holder will be a member of the Preclinical Imaging Group led by Jason Lerch, and will be responsible for carrying out research as outlined in the project in a close collaboration with the groups of Professor Stuart Peirson and Professor Vladyslav Vyazovskiy. The post holder will also provide guidance to less experienced members of the research groups, including postdocs, research assistants, technicians, and PhD and project students.

Please see the below 'Job Description' for further details on the role, responsibilities, and selection criteria, as well as further information about the university and how to apply.