Job ID: 87263

Ph.D. Student in Systems Neuroscience

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 31 October 2022

Employment Start Date: 15 November 2022

Contract Length: Initially 3 years

City: Frankfurt

Country: Germany

Institution: Goethe University Frankfurt

Department: Institute of Neurophysiology

Description:

A position for a Ph.D. student is available at the Institute of Neurophysiology, Goethe University. The successful applicant will use in vivo calcium imaging in mice performing behavioral tasks in order to understand how neurons in the prefrontal cortex support higher cognitive functions such as working memory. The project is part of the recently funded DFG Research Unit “Resolving the prefrontal circuits of cognitive flexibility” (see for5159.de for more details). The salary will be determined by the German public service salary scale (TV-L E13, 65%). 

For a recent example of our work that is relevant to the project, see Vogel, P., Hahn, J., Duvarci, S., and Sigurdsson, T. (2022). Prefrontal pyramidal neurons are critical for all phases of working memory. Cell Reports. 39, 110659. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110659 

The applicant should hold a M.Sc. degree in Neuroscience or a related field within the life sciences; have strong motivation and interest in understanding the neural basis of cognition and behavior; be able to work independently as well as with others in a team, and possess good communication skills in English. Prior experience with animal behavior as well as programming skills are desirable, but not a requirement.

Our laboratory offers experience and training in state-of-the art systems neuroscience methods (calcium imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics). Students will also benefit from being part of a DFG Research Unit that offers opportunities to interact with other students and postdocs working on similar questions as well as support for early-career researchers. In addition, Frankfurt and its vicinity has a vibrant neuroscience community offering numerous possibilities for scientific exchange and collaboration (for more information, see https://www.izn-frankfurt.de/en/ and https://www.rmn2.de/). 

Interested applicants should submit their application via email as a single PDF file to sigurdsson@em.uni-frankfurt.de. The application should include the following:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Transcript of Records
  • Summary of Master Thesis and other research experience 
  • Names and contact information of two references