PhD student position (f/m/d) in synaptic mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss

The Department of Otolaryngology, University Medical Center Göttingen, invites applications for a PhD student position (f/m/d) in synaptic mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss limited until 31.12.2022, with potential for extension, 65 % | salary according to TV-L

The University Medical Center Göttingen is a tertiary care center and offers great development potential. Its 8,100 employees work in over 65 departments and facilities to provide top-quality patient care, excellent research and modern teaching. Göttingen, “City of Science”, located near the center of Germany, the University Medical Center Göttingen is embedded in the city’s attractive network of scientific research facilities.

Sound is encoded at the ribbon synapses of the cochlear inner hair cells. These cells, together with the postsynaptic auditory terminals, are very fragile and can be injured and/or lost following exposure to noise, ototoxic drugs, and also in the process of aging. Such injury usually results in permanent hearing loss and affects millions of people around the world. The project will aim at identifying the processes that underlie the noise-induced damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. The successful candidate will investigate synaptic mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss and potential novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of such hearing loss. Work will use optogenetic tools and include state of the art electrophysiology (presynaptic patchclamp recordings), optical methods (confocal/STED imaging of fluorescent probes in fixed and live tissue, calcium imaging), systems physiology tests and immunohistochemistry.

We are looking for excellent and highly motivated applicants with a strong background (first degree) in physics or biology, preferably with prior experience in biophysics or electrophysiology. The ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international team of researchers is required.

The funding of the candidate’s PhD research will be supported by the collaborative sensory research center SFB889 (www.sfb889.uni-goettingen.de/). Göttingen is world renowned for its research in neuroscience. It is a stimulating and highly collaborative scientific environment hosting numerous prestigious and internationally renowned neuroscience research institutions, such as Georg-August-University, three relevant Max Planck Institutes, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), German Primate Center (DPZ) and European Neuroscience Institute (ENI).

Women are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities and equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment.

We look forward to receiving your application by July 31st, 2019:

University Medical Center Göttingen
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Tina Pangrsic Vilfan
Professor of Experimental Otology
37099 Göttingen
Tel.: 0551/39-61945
Fax: 0551/39-61957
E-Mail: [Email Address Removed]
Web: http://www.auditory-neuroscience.uni-goettingen.de

Please send your application only via e-mail as a PDF-file.
Travel and application fees cannot be refunded or transferred.