Job ID: 119632

PhD to study cortico-striatal plasticity in dystonia with temporal interference stimulation

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 28 July 2024

Contract Length: 4 years

City: Würzburg

Country: Germany

Institution: Universitätsklinikum Würzburg

Department: Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik

Description:

We are seeking a PhD candidate for a project within the CRC295 “Retuning dynamic motor network disorders using neuromodulation”. “Retune” is an established Collaborative Research Center (CRC) funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation), which recently received an extension for four more years. It is led by the University Hospitals of Würzburg and Berlin (Charité) and includes multidisciplinary research projects.

The project aims to study functional and structural brain states in a mouse model for dystonia with the aims to fundamentally change the pathophysiological knowledge on cortico-striatal plasticity underlying dystonia and to develop innovative neuromodulation-based treatment approaches. This will be achieved by using state-of-the-art methods including experimental non-invasive brain stimulation (temporal interference stimulation), in vivo calcium imaging and automated behavioral analysis (DeepLabCut). The PhD student will join the newly established group by Dr. Rauschenberger and Dr. Wessel as well as the Translational Neurology Lab (Prof. Dr. Chi Wang Ip) at the Department of Neurology in Würzburg (Prof. Dr. Jens Volkmann). PhD candidates will be affiliated with the Graduate School for Life Sciences in Würzburg (www.graduateschools.uni-wuerzburg.de/life-sciences).

We offer a supportive and stimulating research environment with a strong focus on translational neuroscience, access to state-of-the art research facilities and equipment, opportunities for collaborations as well as participation in trainings, workshops and professional development opportunities.

Applicants should have a Master or Diploma degree from a neuroscience-related field. Research experience in any of the following methods is of advantage: rodent motor behavioral analysis, in vivo calcium imaging, fiber photometry, experimental neuromodulation, bioinformatical skills (Matlab/Python programming), RNA sequencing.

The University Hospital Würzburg is an equal opportunity employer and female scientists are especially encouraged to apply.

Start of the position: September 2024

Salary bracket: E13 (65%), German TVÖ-L

If you possess the required qualifications and are excited about the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research, we encourage you to apply. Candidates are invited to submit their electronic application including CV and motivation letter to:

Dr. Lisa Rauschenberger: rauschenb_L1@ukw.de