Job ID: 120099

PhD student position in the field of synaptic neuroscience

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 29 September 2024

Employment Start Date: 1 January 2025

Contract Length: three years

City: Bonn

Country: Germany

Institution: University of Bonn

Department: Institute of Cellular Neurosciences

Description:

A position for a PhD student in the field of synaptic neuroscience is available in the laboratory of Prof. Christian Henneberger at the Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (University of Bonn, Germany). The three-year position is part of a larger effort to understand how neuronal and synaptic function are dynamically controlled by astrocytes in the hippocampus.

We have previously discovered that the structure of perisynaptic astrocytes is highly dynamic and rapidly changes during neuronal plasticity and in epilepsy. We will now explore how such rapid remodelling of astrocytes affects the function of nearby excitatory synapses and their plasticity in the rodent hippocampus. We will use novel optical tools to deliberately induce astrocyte remodelling and then establish the effect on excitatory synaptic transmission and its long-term plasticity. Because the latter is a cellular mechanism of learning, we will also test how such manipulations affect the performance of animals in behavioural tests. This will establish a causal relationship between rapid astrocyte remodelling, synapse function and learning. The project relies on an extensive experimental infrastructure for monitoring astrocyte morphology, probing synapse function and behavioural analyses. A broad spectrum of imaging approaches and electrophysiological methods is available to dissect the topic further. Additional information about our research, research methods and recent publications can be found at https://henneberger-lab.com/.

The ideal candidate will have fundamental and strong interest in neurobiology and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or equivalent academic degree in a relevant field of science. Previous research experience with fluorescence microscopy or electrophysiology techniques is advantageous.

The position is available from the 1st of January 2025. The contract initially runs for three years. The salary will be according to the German salary scale (65% TV-L E13). The University of Bonn is an equal opportunities employer.

Applicants should send their application in a single PDF file, including a motivation letter, CV, scanned academic degrees, transcripts of relevant degrees (e.g., M.Sc.) and the contact details of two references. The application deadline is the 29th of September 2024. Please send your application by email to Prof. Dr. Christian Henneberger (christian.henneberger@uni-bonn.de).