Job ID: 122742

10 positions for doctoral researchers (m/f/d/x)

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 9 May 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2025

City: Leipzig

Country: Germany

Institution: Leipzig University, Faculty of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine

Department:

Description:

10 positions for doctoral researchers (m/f/d/x)

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

The Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine seek to fill the above positions in the new Research Training Group“Molecular Tuning of neuronal communication – NeuroTune” funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) from 1 October 2025.

Information processing by the nervous system is based on communication between neurons and their partner cells. While different neuronal communication pathways vary significantly in signalling distance and speed, they also share a common feature: they are adjustable. This important property enables signal transfer to be tuned in an activity-dependent manner and in response to changing physiological demands. The Research Training Group (RTG) NeuroTune studies molecular mechanisms that modify the way information is transmitted and received by neurons. By investigating different communication pathways, the synergistic goal of this collaborative initiative is to identify general structural and functional plasticity principles and to uncover molecular adaptations specific to species, cell types, and signalling modes.

NeuroTune is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine at Leipzig University. This collaborative spirit, woven into the fabric of the programme, distinguishes the Research Training Group from traditional pathways to a doctoral degree and provides doctoral researchers from both faculties with an understanding of how basic research and translational research are tightly interconnected. For more information, visit the NeuroTune website

https://www.lw.uni-leipzig.de/en/institut-fuer-biologie/grk-neurotune.

 

About the positions

  • Fixed term of 4 years
  • 65 % of a full-time position
  • Planned remuneration: salary group 13 TV-L

Requirements

  • Scientific university degree in Natural Sciences (Master of Science or equivalent)
  • Solid background in Neuroscience
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team
  • Excellent command of English
  • Strong work ethics and good communication skills

What we offer

  • Access to cutting edge techniques including super-resolution microscopy, 3D electron microscopy, connectomics, optogenetics, advanced electrophysiology, genome editing, and sophisticated behavioural readouts
  • An innovative mentoring system with individually tailored Personal Development and Data Management Plans to promote successful project completion
  • International collaborations and extended research visits to partner labs abroad
  • Pension plan
  • Discounted local public transport ticket (e.g. the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket)

Please send your application with the usual documents and the completed application form, available on the NeuroTune website, quoting reference number 61/2025, to: Leipzig University, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biology, Professor Dr. Robert J. Kittel, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig by 9 May 2025. You are also welcome to email your application as a single PDF file to neurotune@uni-leipzig.de.

 

 

Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.

 

Privacy information

If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect. 11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.

Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.