Job ID: 87467

Ph.D. Candidate in Synaptic Aging

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 10 October 2022

Employment Start Date: 1 November 2022

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Magdeburg

Country: Germany

Institution: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

Department: Molecular Neuroplasticity

Description:

The DFG – funded research training program RTG 2413 SynAGE (www.synage.de) seeks a highly motivated PhD student/doctoral student (f/m/x) to join a team of researchers from the Research Group “Molecular Neuroplasticity” at DZNE in Magdeburg (www.dzne.de/en/). The training program is focused on synaptic aging in health and disease. The position is available initially for a 3-year fixed-term period with a salary of E13 (65%) starting in November 2022.

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 pursue a translational and interdisciplinary strategy comprising five interconnected areas: fundamental research, clinical research, health care research, population health science, and systems medicine. www.dzne.de

The project

The thesis project will use two-photon imaging to study functional vascular, synaptic and network alterations in the aging mouse brain and how age-related impaired microvascular resistance and associated declined synaptic and network functions can be restored through targeted pharmacological treatment. The Research Group “Molecular Neuroplasticity” offers a broad range of techniques to address these questions (https://www.dzne.de/dityatev; for examples of recent publications, please see:

Sun et al (2021) Nature Communications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34663792/ and

Suzuki at al. (2020) Science https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32855309/.

Your profile

  • Prior experience in transcranial window implantation and two-photon imaging in the rodent brain
  • Skills in image analysis and programming
  • Master’s degree in neuroscience/neurotechnology, biology or relevant scientific/technical discipline with a keen interest in electrophysiology and imaging.
  • Enthusiastic, creative team player, fluent in English with a solid commitment to research.

We offer

  • working in an interdisciplinary environment and an international team with a strong focus on mechanisms of neuroplasticity and the biology of extracellular matrix in the brain
  • opportunity to learn cutting-edge neuroscience and neurotechniques in a competitive and instructive environment.
  • excellent infrastructure, including modern workspaces and very well-equipped labs.
  • employment, payment, and social benefits are consistent with those at other research institutes
  • dynamic and multicultural environment with intensive mentoring and support through RTG SynAGE and the CBBS graduate program of the Magdeburg neuroscience community

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, a copy of academic transcripts, names of two referees and brief statements of motivation and research interest via e-mail to: alexander.dityatev@dzne.de. Applications will be considered immediately until the positions are filled.