Job ID: 122361

Postdoctoral position in circuit neuroscience at LMU Munich

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 15 April 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 June 2025

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Munich

Country: Germany

Institution: Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich

Department: Neurobiology

Description:

Description of the Schroeder Lab

The newly established group of Prof. Dr. Anna Schroeder at LMU Munich is seeking an excellent candidate for a postdoctoral position in neuroscience.

For more information, visit www.annaschroederlab.com

Our lab investigates the neural circuits underlying emotions, motivations, and physiological needs, focusing on how these internal states shape behavior in dynamic environments. Specifically, we study the subthalamic circuits of the zona incerta, an enigmatic brain region that integrates internal states, external sensory cues, and past experiences to adapt behavior flexibly. To dissect the neural circuit mechanisms driving behavior, we employ cutting-edge methodologies including:

• In vivo calcium imaging with 2-photon microscopy or Miniscopes
• Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology
• Single-cell RNA sequencing
• Optogenetics
• Chemogenetics
• Viral circuit tracing
• State-driven behavioral paradigms
• Transgenic mouse models
• Advanced machine learning techniques

Our ultimate goal is to advance understanding of brain function and develop novel therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders through neuromodulation. Prof. Dr. Schroeder is deeply committed to training, mentorship and career development for lab members. The lab offers state-of-the-art neuroscience in a very supportive environment.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research within the scope of the Schroeder lab’s focus using advanced neuroscience techniques
• Contribute to teaching within the Faculty of Biology and the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences
• Take a leading role in training and supervising students
• Proactively apply for external funding (e.g. Marie Curie, EMBO, HFSP, Alexander von Humboldt)
• Attend lab meetings and conferences to present their work and offer constructive feedback to peers
• Collaborate with the team, the broader Munich neuroscience community, and beyond
• Help foster an inclusive, hardworking and supportive lab environment

What we offer

• The best environment for neuroscience in Germany:
  • LMU Munich is often ranked as the best university in Germany and is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide, both overall and for life sciences specifically
  • According to the Nature Index, LMU Munich is the top academic institution in Germany for neuroscience
• Advanced neuroscience research with cutting-edge tools in state-of-the-art facilities
• Collaborative and inclusive environment, including partnerships with leading local institutions (e.g., Max Planck Institutes, DZNE, Helmholtz Institutes, TU Munich) all connected via the Munich Center for Neurosciences
• Mentorship and career development support from Prof. Dr. Schroeder, a young and highly motivated PI who is genuinely invested in the success of her team members
• Opportunity to live in Munich, a vibrant, international city near lakes and mountains with one of the world’s strongest neuroscience communities and a very high quality of life
• Remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) in E13
• Various LMU corporate benefits

Eligibility requirements 

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., biology, psychology, medicine, physics)
• A proven track record (including peer-reviewed publications or pre-prints)
• Relevant experience with at least one advanced circuit technology (e.g., in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics)
• Competence in quantitative data analysis and scientific programming
• Proficiency in English

Beneficial qualifications:

• Practical experience with rodents (e.g., stereotactic surgeries, behavioral experiments)

How to apply

Applications must provide the following and can be sent to Prof. Dr. Schroeder by email at anna.schroeder@bio.lmu.de:

• Cover letter detailing prior research experience, future career goals and why you’d like to join the Schroeder lab
• CV
• Names and contact details for 2-3 referees
• A copy of a publication (or pre-print) you authored

The application deadline is April 15, 2025. The start date for this position is flexible.