Job ID: 121290

Postdoc position on the study of human cortical neurons

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 31 January 2025

Contract Length: 3 years +

City: Aachen

Country: Germany

Institution: RWTH Aachen University

Department: Systems Neurophysiology

Description:

Postdoc position on the study of human cortical neurons available at the RWTH Aachen University

Dendritic function in human cortical neurons

We are looking for a motivated and highly skilled postdoc to investigate the properties of neuronal dendrites in human cortex. Our research group has a long-standing experience in studying cortical neurons and circuits in humans and rodents. We identified the role of dendrites in synaptic learning rules in rodents (Kampa 2007) and have now developed a new innovative tool to study cortical neurons in acute human brain slices and cultures (Schwarz et al. 2017 and 2019).

The Project:

What is the role of dendrites in integrating and processing synaptic inputs in human cortical neurons? It has been shown that the complexity of dendrites is strongly related to human intelligence. Most of our knowledge on the function of dendrites, however, originates from rodents. This project will explore the function of human neuronal dendrites in cortex slices obtained from human brain surgery. To achieve this goal, we will utilize a variety of techniques including two-photon imaging and optogenetics, next generation sequencing, molecular biology, and patch-clamp electrophysiology.

The requirements:

We are looking for highly motivated and qualified researchers interested in the mechanisms of neuronal information processing. The position requires a PhD in Biology / Medicine or a related discipline (e.g. molecular biology, molecular medicine, physics), ideally with a focus on neuroscience. Skills in patch-clamp recordings and two-photon imaging) are required. In addition, we offer intensive training in these techniques and advanced data science methods (data analysis in python or matlab, neuron simulations). The Systems Neurophysiology lab has strong collaborations with the Koch group at the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital. The RWTH Aachen has been selected as one of Germany’s Excellence Universities and offers a broad range of interdisciplinary programs for PhD students. For more information see also our website: www.brain.rwth-aachen.de

How to apply:

The position will be open until we find an appropriate candidate. Please send your application including a letter of motivation, CV, list of publications, copies of certificates and at least two letters of recommendations to: kampa@brain.rwth-aachen.de

Kampa, B. M., Letzkus, J. J., & Stuart, G. J. (2007). Dendritic mechanisms controlling spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity. Trends in neurosciences, 30(9), 456-463.

Schwarz N, Hedrich UBS, Schwarz H, Harshad PA, Dammeier N, Auffenberg E, Bedogni F, Honegger JB, Lerche H, Wuttke T V., Koch H. 2017. Human Cerebrospinal fluid promotes long-term neuronal viability and network function in human neocortical organotypic brain slice cultures. Sci Rep. 7:1–12.

Schwarz N, Uysal B, Welzer M, Bahr JC, Layer N, Löffler H, Stanaitis K, PA H, Weber YG, Hedrich UB, Honegger JB, Skodras A, Becker AJ, Wuttke T V, Koch H. 2019. Long-term adult human brain slice cultures as a model system to study human CNS circuitry and disease. Elife. 8.