At the Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (Goethe-University), Frankfurt, Germany, we offer a PhD studentship (E13 TV-G-U, 65%) in analyzing the neurobiology of locomotion. The position is open for an initial 3 years, starting April 16th, 2017, with the possibility of extension.
The Gottschalk lab uses optogenetics, molecular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and electron microscopy to study the nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans. The project aims to analyze function of a locomotion ‘stop’ neuron and the neural network it is embedded in. By optogenetics and functional in vivo Ca2+ and voltage imaging of the neurons in free moving animals, their activity is correlated with the simultaneously recorded behavior. In collaboration with other groups in the Buchmann Institute, methods for parallel imaging of many neurons, as well as for simultaneous optogenetic manipulation (‘closed-loop optogenetics’) are to be developed.
Requirements: Enthusiasm for basic research! A diploma or master’s degree in cellular/molecular neurosciences, biochemistry or molecular biology. Solid theoretical and practical experience in cellular (neuro) physiology, molecular biology, and know-how in Ca2+ imaging and various light microscopy methods. Essential: Script writing in Matlab, Mathematica or LabView. Experience with C. elegans is desirable.
Information about the lab can be found here: Molecular Membrane Biology and Neurobiology or http://www.bmls.de/Cellular_and_Molecular_Neurobiology/aboutus.html
Please send applications with the usual documents (motivation letter, research experience, diplomas and academic transcripts, references, preferably in electronic form) by March 31, 2017 to: Alexander Gottschalk (a.gottschalk@em.uni-frankfurt.de), Goethe University, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany. Phone: +49-69-798-42518.