PhD studentship in the field of synaptic physiology

The University Hospital Bonn is a maximum care facility with a regular capacity of 1.300 beds.

Our current staff of more than 9.000 performs assigned duties in research, teaching and medical treatment, including the use of advanced medical technologies, and public health care services at the highest possible level. Interested applicants will be offered a wide range of employment opportunities in a variety of fields.

The Institute of Cellular Neurosciences at the University of Bonn/University Hospital Bonn (Bonn, Germany) invites applications for a part-time PhD student position.

A neuroscience PhD studentship in the field of synaptic physiology 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 the precision of information transfer at excitatory synapses is controlled. We will explore how non-neuronal cells determine if glutamatergic synapses are spatially precise or show synaptic crosstalk. Specifically, we will investigate how astrocytes, their structure and their ion signaling modify the spread of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the hippocampal neuropil. This will be achieved by using state-of-the-art optical and electrophysiological methods such as intensity and lifetime based multiphoton fluorescence microscopy of genetically encoded and organic indicators primarily in acute hippocampal brain slices.

The position is available from the 1st of July 2023 on. 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.

Tasks:

The specific aim is to reveal the relationship between astrocyte structure and its induced changes and the extracellular glutamate dynamics. The project relies on an extensive experimental toolset for monitoring and manipulating synaptic function, astrocyte structure, extracellular glutamate dynamics and intracellular signalling. In addition, 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/.

Requirements:

Applicants should have a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or equivalent academic degree in a relevant field of science. In addition, applicants should ideally have experience in some of the mentioned techniques.

We offer:

• Exciting neurobiological research projects using a variety of modern and continuously evolving methods
• A thriving international and collaborative research environment within and beyond the institute and the University of Bonn
• Excellent supervision and support by the PI and colleagues as well as regular group meetings and scientific events
• Enrollment in the structured graduate program of the Bonn International Graduate School for Neuroscience (https://bigs-neuroscience.de/)
• Additional possibilities for further education in university and non-university courses
• Attendance of national and international scientific meetings
• A professional career development program
• A salary according to the German salary scale TV-L (EG 13, 65 %)
• Supplementary benefits in the public sector (pension plan according to VBL)
• Corporate customer ticket (subsidized public transport)
• Possibility to use the day care center

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a familyfriendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome.

How to apply:

Applicants should send their application in a single pdf file (max. 5 MB), including motivation letter, CV, scanned academic degrees, list of publications and the contact details of two references. Please send your application by email under indication of the reference number

391_2023 until two weeks 30th May 2023:

Prof. Dr. Christian Henneberger

Institut für zelluläre Neurowissenschaften

Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Venusberg-Campus-1

53127 Bonn

E-Mail: [Email Address Removed]

www.henneberger-lab.com