PhD - Neurology

Bazm‑e‑BME; Freiburg im Breisgau; Vor Ort; EUR 31.000 - 39.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Collaborative environment

Cutting-edge equipment

Graduate school training

Mentoring and supervision

Zusammenfassung

The Bartos Laboratory at the University of Freiburg invites applications for a PhD student to study inhibitory interneurons and memory in the hippocampal CA3 circuit.

This newly funded project supports the German Baden-Württemberg Stiftung and offers training through state-of-the-art electrophysiology, in vivo Ca2+ imaging, and optogenetics, with mentoring through the local graduate school. Starting date flexible between Jan 2026 and Jul 2026.

Qualifikationen

• M.Sc. in Neuroscience or related field.
• Strong interest in systems and circuit neuroscience, learning and memory.
• Willingness to work with mice, including behavioral training and surgical procedures.
• Programming experience is a plus (Python and/or MATLAB).
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.

Aufgaben

• Perform in vitro whole-cell recordings of interneuron subtypes in CA3 and/or in vivo recordings.
• Conduct in vivo two-photon calcium imaging during VR-based behavioral tasks.
• Use optogenetics to manipulate PV+ interneurons and test their role in memory processing.
• Contribute to mentoring and teaching of medical students.

Ausbildung

M.Sc. in Neuroscience or related field

Tools

Immunohistochemistry

Electrophysiology

2-photon imaging

Jobbeschreibung

Opportunity for a PhD position: Studying interneurons and memory in Institute of Physiology

This newly funded project, supported by the German Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d) to investigate how inhibitory interneurons shape memory encoding and retrieval in the hippocampal CA3 circuit.

The project is hosted in the Bartos Laboratory at the University of Freiburg, a leading center for systems and circuit neuroscience with state-of-the-art infrastructure for electrophysiology, behavioral experiments and in vivo Ca 2+ imaging. The lab’s research focuses on the microcircuits underlying learning, memory, and coordinated network dynamics.

This PhD project aims to uncover how parvalbumin-positive (PV + ) interneuron subtypes (basket cells and axoaxonic cells) control hippocampal network activity. You will apply advanced in vitro and in vivo approaches to dissect how these microcircuits support memory operations at the cellular and ensemble level.

You will:

• Perform in vitro whole-cell recordings of interneuron subtypes in CA3 and/or
• Conduct in vivo two-photon calcium imaging during virtual reality–based behavioral tasks.
• Use optogenetics to manipulate identified PV + INs and test their causal role in memory processing.
• Contribute to teaching of medical students

Qualifications:

• M.Sc. (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related field
• Strong interest in systems and circuit neuroscience, learning and memory, and neuronal computation
• High motivation, strong communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively
• Willingness to work with mice, including behavioral training and surgical procedures
• Programming experience (Python and/or MATLAB)
• Prior experience in immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging or rodent behavioral experiments is highly beneficial

Offer:

• A stimulating and collaborative research environment.
• Access to cutting-edge technical equipment including 2-photon imaging and VR setups, optogenetics, and stereotactic surgery stations.
• Integration into a interdisciplinary community of scientists.
• Technical and IT support staff.
• Involved mentoring and supervision.
• Comprehensive training opportunities through the local graduate school as well as international courses.

Salary according to German salary grade TV-L, E13 (65%), fixed-term for 36 months with potential renewal based on funding and performance

The starting date is flexible between 01 January 2026 and 01 July 2026.