Job ID: 122100

Ph.D. student position is open in the field of gene therapy

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 30 April 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 July 2025

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Magdeburg

Country: Germany

Institution: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Department: Molecular Neuroplasticity

Description:

The position is open in the Molecular Neuroplasticity Research Group (headed by Prof. Alexander Dityatev) at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Magdeburg, Germany. The position is available with a salary of TVÖD Bund E13, 65% starting from July 1, 2025.

The project

The research will be focused on the development of new AAV vectors for targeting specific forms of the extracellular matrix in the brain, such as perineuronal nets or perisynaptic matrix, to modulate the excitation/inhibition balance in models of major neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. The study will involve protein engineering, molecular cloning, cell culturing, electrophysiological analysis, confocal and two-photon imaging, and image analysis.

Your profile

  • M.Sc.
  • Experience in cell culturing methods (documented by publications) is required
  • Experience in molecular cloning, bioinformatics, programming, two-photon imaging, or optogenetics is desirable.
  • Enthusiastic, reliable team player, with a strong commitment to research.

We offer

  • Working in an interdisciplinary environment and an international team
  • Opportunity to perform cutting-edge neuroscience and contribute to developing new treatments for dementia patients
  • Excellent infrastructure, including modern workspaces and very well-equipped labs.
  • Employment, payment, and social benefits are consistent with those at other leading research institutes
  • Dynamic and multicultural environment for neural circuits and cognitive research in the frame of SFB 1436 (sfb1436.de), RTG 1413 (www.synage.de) and CBBS (www.cbbs.eu/en/).

The Research Group “Molecular Neuroplasticity” offers a broad range of techniques and expertise (https://www.dzne.de/dityatev). For examples of recent studies, please see:

DZNE is a world-leading internationally oriented research center, committed to discovering new approaches to prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases. To this end, researchers at ten DZNE sites across Germany (www.dzne.de) pursue a translational and interdisciplinary strategy comprising five interconnected areas: fundamental research, clinical research, health care research, population health science, and systems medicine.

Equal opportunities as well as compatibility of family and work are part of our HR policy. Severely disabled applicants with equivalent occupational aptitude will be considered preferentially. Please submit your application as soon as possible including a detailed CV with a list of publications, names of two referees and brief statements of motivation and research interests via e-mail to: alexander.dityatev@dzne.de. Applications will be considered immediately until the position is filled.