Job ID: 117796

PhD student – Physiology of Neural Circuits

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 15 March 2024

Employment Start Date: 1 April 2024

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Hamburg

Country: Germany

Institution: Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

Department: Neural Circuit Physiology

Description:

Are you curious about how context and memories shape how the brain is processing information? Our research group Neural Circuit Physiology led by Dr. Sebastian Bitzenhofer at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf is looking for a talented graduate student to join our team.

The position is fully funded as part of an ERC starting grant on the processing of information within complex neural networks, how it adapts through learning and memory, and how it integrates new knowledge with existing frameworks. The project focuses on sensory areas in the brain responsible for processing information from olfaction, the sense of smell. The aim is to understand whether learning-induced changes in sensory areas occur independently or if they are driven by signals from higher brain areas associated with learning and memory, such as the hippocampus. We will explore neural activity and propagation of information through electrophysiological recordings, optogenetic manipulations and anatomical assessments.

Tasks:

  • Planning and carrying out electrophysiological measurements of brain activity combined with optogenetics and behavioral experiments on mice
  • Analysis and interpretation of the test results
  • Presentation of the results in lectures and scientific publications

Your profile:

  • Completed university degree in natural sciences (neuroscience, biology, or similar).
  • Experience with laboratory work and/or data analysis is an advantage.
  • Good English knowledge.
  • Self-reliant work with a high level of motivation, teamwork and communication skills.

This position starts as soon as possible, the salary is according to the German salary scale (at 65% TVöD E13) and it is funded for 3 years.

Please send your application, including CV, transcripts and motivation letter to sebastian.bitzenhofer@zmnh-uni-hamburg.de or use the link to the application system at the UKE website in the official posting https://uke.jobs/index.php?ac=jobad&id=2195.

 

We live diversity and value variety

We offer a work environment providing equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, origin or religion. This is confirmed by our accession to the Charter of Diversity. We explicitly aim to increase the proportion of women in management positions, especially among scientific personnel in research and teaching. Women with equal qualifications will be given priority. The same applies in the case of under-representation of one gender in the advertised area. Persons with severe disability with equal aptitude, competence and professional performance will be given priority.