Phd Student In Experimental Neuroscience (F/M/D)

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student in the DFG project "Morphogenic impact of excitatory-inhibitory interaction on the structure of neuronal networks" investigating the role of inhibition in the activity-dependent self-organization of neuronal networks. Experiments will include working with in vitro neuron culture techniques, electrophysiology using microelectrode arrays, patch-clamp and calcium imaging, time-lapse microscopy analyses, immunohistochemistry and optogenetics. This experimental thesis project will be carried out in close collaboration with a complementing project using computational modeling to study network formation and maturation of inhibition.

The project and the position are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and will be carried out in the Professorship for Biomicrotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, headed by Prof. Ulrich Egert. The candidate will be embedded in a large and renowned neuroscientific community for training, scientific and social exchange, with the Bernstein Center Freiburg and the Cluster of Excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools as major centers. You will be encouraged to participate in international academic conferences, forge collaborations, and learn to work towards high-quality scientific publishing.

Candidates should have an MSc degree in Neuroscience or in Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience or equivalent qualification. You should have in-depth experience in neurophysiology in vivo or in vitro and with a programming language, preferably Matlab or Python. Experience with neuronal cell cultures, calcium imaging, computational neuroscience, optogenetics, time-lapse microscopy or advanced analyses of spike data will be a plus. Communication and working in a group comes naturally and we expect proactive collaboration with the computational PhD project.

Application

The application should include CV, letter of motivation, course transcripts and diplomas from high school and universities. Please include contact information of two senior scientists who would provide letters of recommendation upon request. Your application, including diplomas (certified translations), must be written in English or German. Please send your application to Dr. Samora Okujeni.