How does the brain decide whether to persist in a current action or switch to something new?
This fundamental problem underlies flexible behavior and is disrupted in neuropsychiatric conditions such as addiction and depression. This PhD project investigates the neural circuit mechanisms of exploration–exploitation decisions using a well-established mouse foraging task. In this task, mice continuously choose between exploiting a known reward source (staying and licking) or exploring alternatives (leaving and running), allowing behavioral states to be directly linked to specific actions. The project focuses on the secondary motor cortex (M2), a key region for action planning and behavioral flexibility. Using innovative all-optical approaches, you will simultaneously record and manipulate neuronal ensembles with single-cell resolution in behaving mice. Two-photon calcium imaging will be used to identify neuronal populations whose activity encodes exploratory versus exploitative actions, while holographic optogenetic stimulation will test whether selective activation of these ensembles can bias decisions or trigger switches between actions.
This combination enables causal testing of how population-level neural dynamics give rise to flexible behavior. The project offers comprehensive interdisciplinary training.
The PhD student will gain expertise in behavioral neuroscience and virtual reality systems at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT) in Marseille, France; advanced all-optical interrogation techniques during a 3–6 month secondment at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genova, Italy; and exposure to industrial neurotechnology through collaboration with Bruker, a leading microscopy manufacturer. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in neuroscience, physics, engineering, or a related field, with quantitative skills and an interest in neural circuit mechanisms. Experience with mouse behavior, optical imaging or electrophysiology, and programming (e.g. Python) is advantageous.
This PhD will provide rare expertise spanning behavior, optical imaging, optogenetics, and computational analysis, preparing the student for careers in academic neuroscience, neurotechnology, or at the interface between research and technology development. Join us to uncover how the brain orchestrate flexible behavior, one neuron at a time.
This fundamental problem underlies flexible behavior and is disrupted in neuropsychiatric conditions such as addiction and depression. This PhD project investigates the neural circuit mechanisms of exploration–exploitation decisions using a well-established mouse foraging task. In this task, mice continuously choose between exploiting a known reward source (staying and licking) or exploring alternatives (leaving and running), allowing behavioral states to be directly linked to specific actions. The project focuses on the secondary motor cortex (M2), a key region for action planning and behavioral flexibility. Using innovative all-optical approaches, you will simultaneously record and manipulate neuronal ensembles with single-cell resolution in behaving mice. Two-photon calcium imaging will be used to identify neuronal populations whose activity encodes exploratory versus exploitative actions, while holographic optogenetic stimulation will test whether selective activation of these ensembles can bias decisions or trigger switches between actions.
This combination enables causal testing of how population-level neural dynamics give rise to flexible behavior. The project offers comprehensive interdisciplinary training.
The PhD student will gain expertise in behavioral neuroscience and virtual reality systems at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT) in Marseille, France; advanced all-optical interrogation techniques during a 3–6 month secondment at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genova, Italy; and exposure to industrial neurotechnology through collaboration with Bruker, a leading microscopy manufacturer. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in neuroscience, physics, engineering, or a related field, with quantitative skills and an interest in neural circuit mechanisms. Experience with mouse behavior, optical imaging or electrophysiology, and programming (e.g. Python) is advantageous.
This PhD will provide rare expertise spanning behavior, optical imaging, optogenetics, and computational analysis, preparing the student for careers in academic neuroscience, neurotechnology, or at the interface between research and technology development. Join us to uncover how the brain orchestrate flexible behavior, one neuron at a time.
Supervisor
Dr Fanny Cazettes, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix-Marseille University
Co-Supervisor
Dr Tommaso Fellin, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
Intersectoral partner
Romina Macco, Bruker Italia Srl, Italy
International partner
Dr Tommaso Fellin, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy