Postdoctoral Position in Human Metabolism, Mitochondria & Behavior
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL
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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe
and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main
missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working
environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000
researchers from more than 120 different countries.
Postdoctoral Position in Human Metabolism, Mitochondria & Behavior
Mission
The Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics at EPFL is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher
to join an interdisciplinary team investigating the metabolic and mitochondrial bases of human behavior , with a focus
on stress and anxiety vulnerability, motivation, and individual differences . This position offers a unique opportunity
to work at the crossroads of behavioral neuroscience, metabolism, bioinformatics , applying analytical and machine
learning tools to rich multimodal human datasets—including blood-based metabolic profiles , MRS-derived brain
metabolites , hormonal and physiological stress markers , and behavioral data .
Position Overview: The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of how mitochondrial and
metabolic function relates to individual differences in motivated behavior, stress, and anxiety responsiveness . A
strong background in mitochondrial biology and/or metabolism is essential, and experience with bioinformatic analysis
of metabolic and gene expression datasets is highly valued. You will analyze data from human studies integrating
metabolomics (blood and brain) , behavioral readouts, physiological assessments, and hormonal markers. Studies aim to
uncover mechanistic links between systemic and brain energy metabolism and behavioral phenotypes relevant to stress,
anxiety, and motivation . The position also offers opportunities to work with large-scale genomic datasets (e.g., UK
Biobank) to connect genetic and metabolic signatures with behavioral traits.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze and interpret metabolic and mitochondrial data (e.g., blood metabolomics, MRS-based brain metabolites) in
relation to stress, anxiety, and motivated behavior .
- Apply bioinformatic, statistical, and machine learning approaches to integrate and interpret datasets, including
metabolic, hormonal, physiological, and behavioral data .
- Investigate associations between gene expression, metabolic markers , and behavioral phenotypes using public genetic
repositories .
- Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of human experiments.
- Prepare high-quality manuscripts and present findings at international conferences .
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to a stimulating and supportive lab environment .
Qualifications
- PhD in Metabolism, Mitochondrial Biology, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology , or a related discipline.
- Strong background in mitochondria and/or metabolic biology , with demonstrated ability to analyze metabolomics data .
- Experience in bioinformatics and programming (e.g., Python, R), with proficiency in machine learning and data
analysis for integrating biological and behavioral datasets.
- Experience with genomic or transcriptomic datasets (e.g., GWAS, UK Biobank) is desirable.
- Excellent publication record and collaborative skills.
We offer
EPFL offers an outstanding research environment with world-class facilities and a collaborative, interdisciplinary
culture. The Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics , part of the Brain Mind Institute , leads innovative research into the
biological mechanisms of stress, anxiety, and motivation . Our team integrates metabolic, molecular, physiological, and
behavioral approaches to understand human variability in stress and anxiety responsiveness and motivational drive .
We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive scientific
environment. Join us in pioneering research that bridges biology and behavior to uncover fundamental mechanisms of
mental health and resilience.
Informations
Candidates should submit a single PDF including:
- A cover letter describing your research background, relevant skills, and motivation for applying.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including publications.
- Contact information for three professional references .
Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2025 , and will continue until the position is filled. For any further
information, please contact Prof. Carmen Sandi (carmen.sandi@epfl.ch) .
Position Details
- Employment : Fixed-term (CDD), initially for 1 year with potential renewal for up to 4 years.
- Start Date : Position available immediately.
- Location : EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Contract Start Date : As soon as possible
Activity Rate : 100,00
Contract Type: CDD
Duration: 1 year
Reference: 1509
and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main
missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working
environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000
researchers from more than 120 different countries.
Postdoctoral Position in Human Metabolism, Mitochondria & Behavior
Mission
The Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics at EPFL is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher
to join an interdisciplinary team investigating the metabolic and mitochondrial bases of human behavior , with a focus
on stress and anxiety vulnerability, motivation, and individual differences . This position offers a unique opportunity
to work at the crossroads of behavioral neuroscience, metabolism, bioinformatics , applying analytical and machine
learning tools to rich multimodal human datasets—including blood-based metabolic profiles , MRS-derived brain
metabolites , hormonal and physiological stress markers , and behavioral data .
Position Overview: The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of how mitochondrial and
metabolic function relates to individual differences in motivated behavior, stress, and anxiety responsiveness . A
strong background in mitochondrial biology and/or metabolism is essential, and experience with bioinformatic analysis
of metabolic and gene expression datasets is highly valued. You will analyze data from human studies integrating
metabolomics (blood and brain) , behavioral readouts, physiological assessments, and hormonal markers. Studies aim to
uncover mechanistic links between systemic and brain energy metabolism and behavioral phenotypes relevant to stress,
anxiety, and motivation . The position also offers opportunities to work with large-scale genomic datasets (e.g., UK
Biobank) to connect genetic and metabolic signatures with behavioral traits.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze and interpret metabolic and mitochondrial data (e.g., blood metabolomics, MRS-based brain metabolites) in
relation to stress, anxiety, and motivated behavior .
- Apply bioinformatic, statistical, and machine learning approaches to integrate and interpret datasets, including
metabolic, hormonal, physiological, and behavioral data .
- Investigate associations between gene expression, metabolic markers , and behavioral phenotypes using public genetic
repositories .
- Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of human experiments.
- Prepare high-quality manuscripts and present findings at international conferences .
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to a stimulating and supportive lab environment .
Qualifications
- PhD in Metabolism, Mitochondrial Biology, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology , or a related discipline.
- Strong background in mitochondria and/or metabolic biology , with demonstrated ability to analyze metabolomics data .
- Experience in bioinformatics and programming (e.g., Python, R), with proficiency in machine learning and data
analysis for integrating biological and behavioral datasets.
- Experience with genomic or transcriptomic datasets (e.g., GWAS, UK Biobank) is desirable.
- Excellent publication record and collaborative skills.
We offer
EPFL offers an outstanding research environment with world-class facilities and a collaborative, interdisciplinary
culture. The Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics , part of the Brain Mind Institute , leads innovative research into the
biological mechanisms of stress, anxiety, and motivation . Our team integrates metabolic, molecular, physiological, and
behavioral approaches to understand human variability in stress and anxiety responsiveness and motivational drive .
We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive scientific
environment. Join us in pioneering research that bridges biology and behavior to uncover fundamental mechanisms of
mental health and resilience.
Informations
Candidates should submit a single PDF including:
- A cover letter describing your research background, relevant skills, and motivation for applying.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including publications.
- Contact information for three professional references .
Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2025 , and will continue until the position is filled. For any further
information, please contact Prof. Carmen Sandi (carmen.sandi@epfl.ch) .
Position Details
- Employment : Fixed-term (CDD), initially for 1 year with potential renewal for up to 4 years.
- Start Date : Position available immediately.
- Location : EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Contract Start Date : As soon as possible
Activity Rate : 100,00
Contract Type: CDD
Duration: 1 year
Reference: 1509