Research directions

Our lab addresses core questions in systems neuroscience, with a focus on two fundamental themes: (1) how the brain performs cross-modal sensorimotor integration and learning; and (2) the role and logic of brain oscillations and traveling waves in neural information processing. To tackle these questions and inspire the next-generation artificial intelligence, the lab follows a research arc that runs from tools, to decoding, to control, drawing on interdisciplinary approaches to drive innovation.

Toward these goals, the lab pursues three interconnected research directions.

1) Behavioral paradigms and physiological-state monitoring platform: We build versatile, high-precision mouse behavior systems spanning treadmill and obstacle tasks, virtual reality (VR) environments, multi-camera freely-moving behavioral tracking, and physiological-state monitoring, together with real-time closed-loop control, providing precise and controllable experimental paradigms for the study of sensorimotor behavior.

2) Brain-wide electrophysiology and calcium imaging in behaving mice: Combining large-scale multi-probe Neuropixels recordings, cortical widefield imaging, two-photon calcium imaging, and optogenetics or chemogenetics, we record neural activity simultaneously across brain regions while mice perform behavioral tasks, capturing and dissecting sequential neural dynamics and traveling waves at the brain-wide scale.

3) Computation, machine learning, and modeling: We apply machine learning to neural decoding and large-scale data mining, distill principles of neural computation, and use them to inspire new artificial intelligence algorithms. The lab particularly welcomes researchers with experience or original insight in digital signal processing, linear and nonlinear machine learning methods, and neural dynamics (for example, oscillatory systems).

About the PI

Dr. Zhiwen Ye is a Junior Principal Investigator at the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation. He received his PhD from Imperial College London in 2015, where he used electrophysiology and optogenetics to dissect the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, publishing five first-author papers including work in Neuron, Nature Communications, and the Journal of Neuroscience. He carried out postdoctoral research at the Francis Crick Institute in the UK (2015-2019) and at the University of Washington in the US (2020-2026). He recently led the development of Neuropixels Ultra, a new generation of high-density electrophysiology recording probe (Neuron, 2025), and discovered brain-wide rotating waves that sweep across the somatotopic map, together with their underlying ring topology and behavioral relevance (Science, 2026).

The lab is committed to an open and collaborative research culture. We provide every member with a personalized, well-rounded development plan and support. In selecting people, we place greater weight on evidence of strong curiosity, perseverance, and independent thinking than on publications alone. We warmly invite curious and motivated early-career researchers to join us.

 1.Associate Investigator / Assistant Investigator (1 position)

This position is aimed at a senior researcher with strong all-round command of systems neuroscience methods and outstanding expertise in electrophysiology, behavior, data analysis, and the construction of experimental apparatus. The successful candidate will conduct experiments and analyses independently, coordinate several research directions within the lab, and serve as a scientific backbone of the group.

Responsibilities

1. Conduct independent research under the guidance of the PI;

2. Apply for domestic and international research funding, independently or collaboratively, and contribute to manuscript writing;

3. Help supervise the research of postdocs, students, and research assistants;

4. Assist with lab management.

Qualifications

1. PhD and postdoctoral research experience at a leading institution, in China or abroad;

2. A research background in neuroscience, neural computation, machine learning, or a related field, with demonstrated capacity for independent research. Extensive experience with systems neuroscience experiments and data analysis is preferred; candidates who combine experience in in-vivo electrophysiology, large-scale neural data analysis, and experimental instrumentation are especially welcome;

3. A record of first-author or corresponding-author publications;

4. Fluent oral and written academic communication in English as a working language;

5. Good communication and teamwork skills, sound research ethics, rigorous scientific attitude, and strong intellectual curiosity.

2.Postdoctoral Fellow (3-4 positions)

Postdocs recruited in this round will work across the lab’s three research directions. Postdoctoral projects are not restricted to the specific directions listed below; the basic expectation is that each person contributes their own strengths, learns from the others, and grows together with the group. We anticipate: one postdoc focused on building the behavioral paradigm and physiological-state monitoring platform, with substantial experience in or enthusiasm for mechanical design, microcontrollers, and real-time closed-loop control; one to two postdocs focused on brain-wide electrophysiology or calcium imaging experiments and analysis in behaving mice; and one postdoc focused on computation, machine learning, and modeling. More specific research directions will be defined jointly, considering the candidate’s background and the needs of the lab. For the platform-building direction, we encourage publishing methods papers and open-sourcing the resulting tools.

Responsibilities

1. Conduct independent or collaborative research under the guidance of the PI;

2. Assist in applying for research funding;

3. Help supervise students.

Qualifications

1. A PhD, obtained in China or abroad, in neurobiology, basic medicine, computational science, mechanical / electronic / automation engineering, biomedical engineering, instrumentation science, or a related field. Depending on the research direction, experience in one of the following is preferred: (1) behavioral paradigms, experimental apparatus, and methods/tool development, with strong engineering and programming skills and familiarity with mechanical design, microcontrollers and real-time closed-loop control, virtual reality, and behavioral tracking; candidates who demonstrate their ability through instruments, methods, or open-source tools are highly encouraged to apply; (2) mouse surgery and large-scale in vivo electrophysiology or calcium imaging; (3) neural data analysis, machine learning, and computational modeling;

2. Published or soon-to-be-published research papers in the relevant field, and the ability to carry out research independently;

3. Strong ability to read and write scientific English;

4. Good communication and teamwork skills, sound research ethics, and strong intellectual curiosity.

3.Research Assistant (2 positions)

We anticipate hiring: one research assistant focused on mouse surgery and in-vivo electrophysiology or calcium imaging experiments; and one focused on building and maintaining the behavioral and instrumentation platform, with sufficient computational and programming ability to help develop complete experimental setups and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

1. Support the research of the associate/assistant investigator, postdocs, and PhD students;

2. Pursue research under the guidance of the PI;

3. Assist with other research tasks assigned by the lab.

Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree or above. Relevant experimental skills in neuroscience or animal behavior are expected; experience with mouse surgery and in-vivo electrophysiology is preferred, as is the ability to build experimental apparatus and to program and analyze data;

2. A strong sense of responsibility, good practical skills, and good collaboration and communication;

3. Good English reading and writing ability.

4.Lab Manager (1 position)

Responsibilities

1. Lab operations and supplies: take overall responsibility for the purchase, inventory, and maintenance of lab equipment and consumables, ensuring an adequate supply of materials and stable operation of instruments. Organize lab meetings, lab activities, visiting-speaker seminars, and workshops. Maintain a safe and tidy day-to-day lab environment, oversee and enforce safety protocols, and organize relevant training.

2. Laboratory animal management (mice): oversee the daily husbandry, breeding, genotyping, and health monitoring of mice, and optimize animal-facility workflows. Establish and maintain complete records of animal use so that all experiments are traceable.

3. Administrative and documentation support: manage lab records and archives (instruments, animals, consumables, and so on) and help develop lab policies and SOPs.

4. Technical support: as needed, assist researchers with basic experimental procedures such as histological sectioning (or tissue clearing) and immunohistochemistry, perfusion and tissue collection, preparation and sterilization of surgical consumables, and routine maintenance of equipment and behavioral apparatus.

Qualifications

1. Background: a background in biology, medicine, or a related field. Experience in biological lab management, mouse handling, or neurobiology experiments is preferred.

2. Core qualities: excellent execution and a strong sense of responsibility; proactive, conscientious, and attentive to detail.

3. General skills: excellent communication and coordination skills, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to work independently and efficiently.

4. A plus: experience managing laboratory mice.

5.Visiting Student (4 positions)

The lab welcomes master’s students and senior undergraduates who are curious about the brain and who enjoy experiments and problem-solving, from fields including neuroscience, basic medicine, bioinformatics, and computational science. We expect to host roughly two visiting students focused on experimental skills and two focused on computational skills.

Compensation and Benefits

1. Market-competitive salary and benefits in line with the institution’s compensation system. Postdocs may apply for the Shenzhen municipal postdoctoral living allowance, bringing the annual salary to over RMB 400,000. Compensation for other positions is negotiable, based on the candidate’s experience and accomplishments.

2. Statutory benefits, paid annual leave, and annual health check-ups;

3. Excellent research training and research environment;

4. Assistance, where eligible, in applying for talent subsidies and associated benefits;

5. Support for postdocs applying to national talent programs and funding schemes, including the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China;

6. Support for eligible postdocs applying to provincial and municipal talent programs or living allowances (for example, the Guangdong Province Overseas Postdoctoral Talent Support Program and the Shenzhen postdoctoral in-station living allowance; the current provincial and municipal policy documents apply);

7. Support for outstanding postdocs applying to the SMART Postdoctoral Special Funding Program, which provides selected fellows with additional living support beyond base salary and government subsidies, at the level and duration set by the relevant regulations;

8. Talent housing or apartments allocated to eligible postdocs;

9. Postdocs may choose to register their household residence (hukou) in Shenzhen upon entering the program, and their spouse and minor children may relocate with them;

10. Research assistants and visiting students who perform well may, if they wish, be recommended by the lab for graduate program applications;

11. Visiting students receive a living allowance according to SMART’s subsidy standards.

Please submit the following

1. A complete CV in Chinese or English, covering education, research experience and outputs, key research skills, awards, and personal research interests;

2. Three letters of recommendation (required only for the associate/assistant investigator and postdoc positions). Please list your referees in your application email and ask them to send their letters directly to systemsneuro@smart.org.cn. Applicants for other positions are advised to provide at least one letter;

3. Any other materials that demonstrate your research and professional ability.

Please send your application materials as PDF attachments to systemsneuro@smart.org.cn, with the email subject line "Position – Name – Field". Interviews will be arranged as soon as possible after review.