We study how neuromodulator systems control learning, attention, and adaptive behaviour. To do it we combine two-photon imaging, fibre photometry, in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, quantitative behaviour, and computational analysis. For a sense of the work, see Breton-Provencher & Sur, Nature Neuroscience (2019); Breton-Provencher et al., Nature (2022); and Bouchard et al., iScience (2026).
We are always interested in hearing from talented people at any career stage — postdocs, graduate students, research staff, and undergraduate interns. We have no single open call at the moment; we build projects around the people who join us.
Who we’re looking for:
Our trainees come from neuroscience, engineering physics, biophotonics, medical physics, and bioinformatics. Experience with in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, rodent surgery and behaviour, optical instrumentation, or programming (Python/MATLAB) is useful, but you don’t need all of it — we care more about curiosity and rigour than about a checklist.
- Postdocs: a PhD in neuroscience or a related field, held or nearly complete. Contact us early so we can develop a fellowship application together.
- Graduate students: apply through the relevant Université Laval program (Neuroscience, Biophotonics, Physics, Biochemistry, and others), but write to us first to discuss fit and funding.
- Interns: welcome most semesters, including through Université Laval internship programs and exchanges such as Neurasmus.
Lab environment:
Our lab is collaborative and intellectually stimulating, and values creativity, scientific rigour, and independent thinking. Trainees present at national and international meetings, and we invest in mentoring toward the career you want, in academia or beyond. Sitting within both the CERVO Brain Research Centre and the Neurophotonics Centre gives us an unusual concentration of optical and neurotechnology expertise on site.
Québec City is safe, affordable, and family-friendly. Both English and French are spoken in the lab; French is not a requirement to join.
Funding:
The lab is supported by CIHR, NSERC, FRQS, CFI, Brain Canada, the New Frontiers in Research Fund, the France-Canada Research Fund, the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the CERVO Brain Research Centre. Trainees at every level are encouraged to apply for external support (FRQS, FRQNT, CIHR, NSERC, and internationally portable fellowships), and we work closely with candidates on their applications.
How to apply:
If you are interested in joining please send your CV and a brief description (<250 words) of your research interests here.
Our lab is located at the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City and is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Université Laval. We are also part of the Neurophotonics Centre.
