1 or 2 Postdoctoral positions in Circuit Neuroscience

One or two postdoc positions are available in the Thalamic Circuits laboratory of Fiona Müllner at the Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE, Nordic EMBL Partnership) and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is an initial 1-year, renewable position from September 1st 2026 (or as agreed), with funding secured by a European Research Council (ERC) grant and the Lundbeck Foundation.

Tasks
The Thalamic Circuits lab studies how visual information is processed in the thalamus and how the brain actively modifies this information. The lab uses a combination of cutting-edge methods in the mouse model, including two-photon imaging, advanced viral tracing, single-cell manipulation in vivo, electrophysiology and computational modelling. You will be studying the circuit mechanisms underlying visual information processing and its modulation.

Your typical activities will include:

• Designing, planning and establishing experiments
• Carrying out experiments such as in vivo calcium imaging, viral injections, or behavioural tests in mice, with keeping accurate records
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental findings
• Actively participating in laboratory and DANDRITE community meetings
• Reporting findings through conference presentations and manuscripts

Your profile
The candidates should hold a PhD in Neuroscience or a related field, or should be in the final stages of PhD submission.

• We are seeking candidates who are dedicated, curious, analytical, self-motivated and collaborative.
• Candidates with hands-on expertise in brain surgery, in vivo calcium imaging, and/or electrophysiology are strongly encouraged to apply, but other technical proficiencies can be considered.
• Documented contribution to science, as evidenced by publications, preprints, or submitted manuscripts, is required.
• Manuscripts in advanced stages of preparation may be considered in exceptional cases.
• Fluent communication in English is required.
• Active or passive experience with MATLAB or Python is a plus.

The application must be in English and include

• a cover letter stating your reasons for applying, your key qualifications, and your scientific vision
• a curriculum vitae
• degree certificates and transcript of records from PhD or master studies
• a complete list of publications
• a short statement of scientific achievements (max 1 page)
• contact information for at least one referee writing a letter of reference on your behalf

Teaching experience or portfolio are not required.

Who we are
The Thalamic Circuits lab is located at DANDRITE, the Danish research institute of translational Neuroscience – a leading neuroscience research institute in Europe funded by the Lundbeck Foundation. DANDRITE is the Danish node of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, a unique network of excellent national research centres in the Nordic countries, which aims to facilitates collaborative research, access to infrastructure, and to foster outstanding international research talent.

DANDRITE is hosted by Aarhus University and organizationally placed in two departments: the Department of Biomedicine (Faculty of Health) and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (Faculty of Natural Sciences). The position is located at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.

DANDRITE:

Lab website:

We are deeply curious and enjoy listening to different perspectives during our scientific discussions. We believe that diversity and inclusion promote innovation and scientific progress. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is respected and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background or identity.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here:

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here:

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

What we offer
The department/centre offers:

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Associate Professor Dr. Fiona Müllner, Se e-mailadresse på nature.com

Deadline
Applications must be received no later than June 14th 2026.

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: Se e-mailadresse på nature.com

Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation .

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website , you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.