Job ID: 85517

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Network Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 20 August 2022

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2022

Contract Length: 2 years

City: Magdeburg

Country: Germany

Institution: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

Department: Molecular Neuroplasticity

Description:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Network Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases (f/m/x) to join the Research Group “Molecular Neuroplasticity” at DZNE in Magdeburg (www.dzne.de/en/) as a staff scientist. The research is focused on targeting of neural extracellular matrix and aggregopathies to improve encoding of information by cortical circuits. The post is available initially for a 2-year fixed-term period with a salary of TVÖD Bund E13 starting in October 2022, with a possibility for extension.

The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (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.

The project

You will study cortical neural network dynamics using two-photon imaging in awake head-fixed mice solving cognitive tasks in virtual reality. The activity of recorded principal cells and PV+, SOM+, VIP+ interneurons will be related to their encoding of context, position and reward and studied after targeting of neural extracellular matrix and formation of toxic protein aggregates in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. The Research Group “Molecular Neuroplasticity” offers a broad range of techniques to address these questions (https://www.dzne.de/dityatev). For examples of our recent studies, please see: Sun et al., Nature Communications 2021; Cangalaya et al., eLife 2020; Suzuki et al., Science 2020.

 

Your profile

  • Experience in two-photon imaging in awake rodents documented by publications in high-level scientific journals is a prerequisite for consideration of the application.
  • Fluent in German for the preparation of animal experimentation requests (TVA).
  • Veterinary education would be of great advantage.
  • Experience in AAV delivery, virtual reality experiments, immunohistochemistry and programming in Matlab and/or Python is highly desirable.
  • Enthusiastic, creative team player, with a solid commitment to research.

We offer

  • working in an interdisciplinary environment and an international team
  • opportunity to perform cutting-edge neuroscience and develop 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
  • learning to develop and/or scale up own lines of research
  • 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/).

Your employment, salary and employee benefits comply with the collective pay agreement (TVÖD Bund). 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.