Job ID: 119924

Postdoctoral position in Biology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 6 September 2024

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2024

City: Mainz

Country: Germany

Institution: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Department: Institute of Anatomy

Description:

The Institute of Anatomy of the Universitätsmedizin Mainz is offering a postdoctoral position on the molecular neurobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. The position is available starting in October 2024, initially for two years with the aim of extension, and is fully funded through a TVL contract.

The Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz offers a stimulating and international research environment with a vibrant neuroscience community, embodied by the Focus Program Translational Neurosciences and the Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network. Research in the Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, headed by Prof. Michael Schmeisser, and in the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, headed by Prof. Dilja Krueger-Burg, focuses on the mechanisms by which alterations at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses contribute to the development of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Using mouse models and a wide range of experimental approaches ranging from molecular studies through circuit level analyses to behavioral assessment, we aim to identify strategies that may ultimately lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions.

To this end, we are looking for a new team member with a strong background in neuroscience to study the mechanisms by which autism-associated proteins such as Shank2/3, Cyld, Neuroligin-2, or Collybistin regulate the function of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses in striatal circuits, and how this contributes to the alterations in corticostriatal function observed in autism spectrum disorders. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in the study of synaptic structure and function using optical imaging techniques, molecular biology and biochemistry approaches, and/or slice electrophysiology. Given that the Institute of Anatomy is an international environment, strong English language skills are highly desirable.

In addition to research, this position involves participation in the teaching curriculum of the Institute of Anatomy. German language skills and an interest in teaching anatomy and/or histology are therefore essential.

Applications including a letter of motivation, CV, university transcripts, and contact information for two letters of recommendation, should be sent to Michael Schmeisser (mschmeisser@uni-mainz.de) and Dilja Krueger-Burg (dkruegerburg@uni-mainz.de) by September 6, 2024.