PhD Position: Multisynaptic Plasticity in Dendrites

Radboud Universiteit; Nijmegen; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, invites applications for a PhD position on multisynaptic plasticity in dendrites within the Wierenga lab at the Donders Institute. You will investigate how calcium signals and kinase activity coordinate plasticity across multiple synapses using two-photon uncaging, advanced imaging and biosensors in hippocampal slices.

The project combines electrophysiology, microscopy and molecular approaches, with opportunities to contribute to publications and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in life sciences or related discipline.
• Experience in advanced microscopy and/or patch clamp electrophysiology in living brain tissue.
• Interest in intracellular signalling and optical recording methods; programming ability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Use two-photon glutamate uncaging in hippocampal slices to study multisynaptic plasticity.
• Employ advanced microscopy and biosensors to trace molecular pathways.
• Collaborate with an international team and contribute to publications; teaching load up to 10%.

Skills

Motivated

Enthusiastic

Critical

Creative

Team-oriented

Education

Master's degree in Life Sciences

Tools

Advanced microscopy

Single-cell electrophysiology

Matlab/Python programming

Job description

PhD Position: Multisynaptic Plasticity in Dendrites

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.
We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.
Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

1. Introduction

Are you an enthusiastic young scientist with a Master's degree in a neuroscience-related field? And would you like to figure out how plasticity at multiple synapses is coordinated within dendrites? Then you have a part to play as a PhD candidate in our research team. Put your ideas to the test at our green campus and push your boundaries in an internationally friendly environment.

Synaptic plasticity is considered to be the foundation of brain adaptation and learning. Multiple signalling pathways have been identified that are underlying synaptic plasticity of single synapses, depending on induction protocol and cell type. However, linking these molecular pathways to behavioural adaptation and learning turned out to be difficult. Under physiological conditions in vivo, multiple synapses will be activated simultaneously and plasticity pathways will inherently interfere.

In this PhD project, we will use a combination of single cell electrophysiology, advanced microscopy techniques and novel biosensors to examine molecular pathways underlying multisynaptic plasticity in dendrites of hippocampal CA1 neurons in brain slices.

Research in the Wierenga lab focuses on the formation and plasticity of inhibitory synapses and the interactions between inhibitory and excitatory synapses within dendrites. In this project, you will use two-photon glutamate uncaging in hippocampal slices to induce synaptic plasticity at multiple spines and you will exploit novel biosensors to study interactions between molecular pathways within the dendrite. Furthermore, you will explore how these interactions are affected by neuromodulators. Pilot experiments with four spine stimulation have shown that large calcium signals emerge within the dendritic shaft that continue even after the stimulation has ended, and that there are at least two modes of spine growth that seem to be regulated independently.

The research has the following objectives:

• To determine how calcium release from internal stores contributes to dendritic calcium signals.
• To investigate how PKA and PKC activity interacts with calcium signals.
• To assess if these interactions can explain the two modes of spine growth.
• To examine when and where molecular signalling molecules (aka retrograde messengers) are produced.

Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate .

3. Profile

• You are a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical, creative and team-oriented young scientist with a particular interest in neuroscience.
• You have a Master's degree in life sciences, biology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline, and an interest in intracellular signalling and optical recording methods.
• You have experience in advanced microscopy and/or single cell (patch clamp) electrophysiology in living brain tissue.
• Ideally, you can program (in Matlab, Python or a similar environment), but if not, you will learn.
• You take initiative and are eager to learn.
• You can work independently, but you also enjoy interacting within a group.
• You are fluent in English (written and spoken) and have good communication skills.
• You demonstrate integrity and positivity and motivate others to do the same.

4. We are

Our research team is a diverse team of international scientists broadly interested in the role of inhibitory synapses in the brain at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. We use a combination of two-photon microscopy, electrophysiology and molecular techniques to study formation and plasticity of inhibitory synapses in organotypic and acute brain slices from mice. We are particularly interested in the interactions between excitatory and inhibitory synapses within dendrites during synaptic plasticity, in brain development and in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Wierenga lab is embedded within the Donders Centre for Neuroscience (DCN) at the Faculty of Science of Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). DCN is part of the world-renowned Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, a world-class interfaculty neuroscience institute with a lively and interactive culture housing more than 800 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the brain.

Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as 'excellent' and recognised as a 'very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent'. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (0.8 FTE 5- year contract - 1.0 FTE 4- year contract) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract) or 3.5 years (5-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,204 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €4,051 from the fourth year onwards ( salary scale P ).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

6. Practical information and applying

The first interviews will take place in the last week of November. Any second interview will take place in the first week of December. You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2027.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure . It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Type of employment

Type of employment Temporary position

Employment expires 2030-12-31

Contract type

Contract type Full-time/Part-time

First day of employment

First day of employment 01-01-2027

Number of positions

Number of positions 1

Full-time equivalent 0,8 - 1,0

City

County

Country

Country Netherlands

Reference number

Reference number 62.154.26

Contact