PhD student in Neuroscience (Effects of Virtual Reality on Neural Activity and Behavior)

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg; Freiburg; Vor Ort; CHF 40.000 - 49.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Optophysiology Group at the Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology (IMBIT) at the University of Freiburg invites applications for a PhD student in Neuroscience to study the effects of virtual reality on neural activity and behavior in mice. 65% TV-L, three years, funded by DFG and university funds, with extension possible.

You will work on an interdisciplinary project combining rodent behavior, virtual reality, two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and computational data

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, biology, biomedical sciences, or related field.
• Experience or strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior.
• Good programming skills, preferably Python; basic statistics and quantitative analysis.

Aufgaben

• Design and conduct behavioral experiments with mice in virtual and real environments.
• Perform two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity.
• Apply holographic optogenetics to manipulate neuronal populations.
• Contribute to design/development of a two-photon miniscope.
• Analyze and model behavioral and neural data.
• Assist in interpretation and publication of findings.

Kenntnisse

Python

Statistics

Animal training

Ausbildung

Master's degree in neuroscience or related field

Tools

Two-photon imaging

Optogenetics

Arduino

Jobbeschreibung

PhD student in Neuroscience (Effects of Virtual Reality on Neural Activity and Behavior)

NEU

The Optophysiology Group at the Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology (IMBIT), University of Freiburg, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student in Neuroscience (Effects of Virtual Reality on Neural Activity and Behavior) to join our interdisciplinary research team.

Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and central funds of the University of Freiburg, the project will investigate how the brain represents and processes information in virtual versus real-world environments. Using mice performing behavioral tasks in both settings, we will examine whether animals can transfer learned information between virtual and real environments and whether the two contexts lead to differences in neuronal activity and population dynamics.

The scientific question

Do the neural representations formed in virtual environments resemble those formed during real-world experience—and can knowledge acquired in one environment be used in the other?

Your Research

You will work on an interdisciplinary project combining rodent behavior, virtual reality, two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and computational data analysis.

• Designing and conducting behavioral experiments with mice in virtual and real environments
• Performing two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity
• Applying holographic optogenetics to selectively manipulate neuronal populations (see Ammer et al., 2024)
• Contributing to the design and development of a novel two-photon miniscope
• Characterizing and validating the newly developed miniscope in vivo
• Analyzing and modelling the resulting behavioural and neural data
• Contributing to the interpretation and publication of the findings

The position is 65% TV-L, funded for three years, with the possibility of extension.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate with a background in neuroscience, neurobiology, computational neuroscience, or a related field who is excited about combining experimental and quantitative approaches.

Essential qualifications:

• A university degree (Master's or equivalent) in neuroscience, neurobiology, biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline
• Experience with or a strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior
• Good programming skills, preferably Python
• Basic knowledge of statistics and quantitative data analysis
• Ability to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative research team
• Motivation to learn and apply advanced experimental and computational methods

Experience with FELASA-certified laboratory animal training is an advantage but not essential and can be acquired during the project, where applicable.

Additional skills that would be advantageous

• Experience with rodent behavioural training and/or in vivo experiments
• Calcium imaging and/or optogenetics
• Arduino or other microcontroller-based systems
• Basic electronics and circuit design
• Machine learning or computational neuroscience

You do not need to have experience in all of these areas. Curiosity, scientific independence, and the motivation to learn new techniques are more important.

Why Join Us?

You will join theOptophysiology Lab, led by Prof. Ilka Diester, at IMBIT, a state-of-the-art research center at the University of Freiburg. Our international team investigates cognitive motor control and the neural mechanisms underlying flexible behavior, combining behavioral neuroscience with cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and computational approaches.

The project is embedded in an interdisciplinary collaboration with:
Prof. Caglar Ataman, an expert in endoscopy, microsystems, and bioelectronics
Prof. Marlene Bartos, an expert in neuronal calcium imaging and rodent neuroscience

This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to work at the interface of systems neuroscience, neurotechnology, and microsystems engineering, while interacting with a peer group of early-career researchers working on related projects.

We offer:

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment
• Training in advanced behavioral, imaging, and optogenetic techniques
• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences
• Support for scientific and career development
• Close interaction with the PI and experienced researchers in the lab
• An international and stimulating scientific environment at IMBIT

Living in Freiburg

TheUniversity of Freiburg is one of Germany's leading research universities. Freiburg is located between the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley and offers an international and vibrant academic environment, excellent public transport, and outstanding opportunities for outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, climbing, and skiing.

The position is limited to 30. November 2029. The salary will be determined in accordance with E13 TV-L.

We will be particularly pleased to receive applications from women for the position advertised here.