Job ID: 120555

PhD position on Synaptic Autophagy and Cognitive Decline in Ageing

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 30 November 2024

Employment Start Date: 1 January 2025

Contract Length: 3+1 years

City: Magdeburg

Country: Germany

Institution: Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology

Department:

Description:

Description:

The research group Neuroplasticity led by Michael R. Kreutz at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology invites applications for a 4-year PhD position (TV-L E13, 65%). The project deals with the question how synaptic function and viability as well as plasticity and network function are affected by perturbations or enhancement of autophagic processes with special emphasis on cognitive decline in ageing.

Your role in detail

As a successful candidate, you will engage in a comprehensive investigation of how synaptic activity relates to autophagosome formation.

  • You will conduct experiments to identify plasticity-related signaling mechanisms underlying synaptic autophagy using molecular imaging techniques and super-resolution microscopy
  • You will determine how far autophagosome formation con proceed in boutons with high-pressure freezing electron microscopy
  • You will conduct profiling of synaptic autophagosomes to understand which synaptic proteins have to be replaced
  • You will study using transgenic mice how autophagy is involved in cognitive decline in ageing

This project is positioned at the intersection of aging research, advanced cellular imaging and synaptic plasticity mechanisms, offering you the opportunity to contribute to an area of high societal relevance.

Research Environment

The Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN) is an internationally recognized neuroscientific research institute and dedicated to the research on learning and memory. Our research comprises all organizational levels of the brain – from molecular and cellular processes to complex neuronal networks and behavior.

  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: You will have access to cutting-edge neuroscience resources, including STORM and STED microscopy, high-resolution live-imaging, advanced biochemistry methods, automated behavioral assessment and others
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The project is embedded within the Neural Resources of Cognition Collaborative Research Center (https://sfb1436.de), the research unit Syntophagy (https://syntophagy.de) and the research training group SynAge (https://rtg2413.med.ovgu.de) providing ample opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration with leading experts in the field
  • Mentorship and Development: You will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Michael R. Kreutz and Drs. Maria Andres-Alonso and Anna Karpova, and you will have opportunities for professional growth through tailored training programs and regular mentorship.

Your qualifications

  • A Master’s degree in a relevant field
  • Strong skills in Cell biology and a background in Molecular Neuroscience, with a clear interest in cognitive aging
  • Competence in or a willingness to learn advanced microscopy methods
  • Proficiency in English, with strong written and oral communication skills

You should be thorough, efficient, and capable of working independently while also contributing to a collaborative research environment.

What our employees value

  • A fully funded 4-year PhD position in a friendly, international and highly dynamic team
  • Strong Collaborative Network: You will be integrated into a network of international collaborators, enhancing both research and career opportunities.
  • Funds for attending international conferences
  • Professional Development: Opportunities for training and career development tailored to your interests
  • Regular team events

How to apply

If you are interested, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please submit your application in a single PDF file containing your CV, academic transcripts, three references, and a cover letter detailing your research interests and experience to Michael R. Kreutz (kreutz@lin-magdeburg.de). For more information about our group, please visit: https://syntophagy.de/ or https://rtg2413.med.ovgu.de or http://www.kreutzlab.com/.