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PhD student: Bonn, Germany

The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) investigates the causes of diseases of the nervous system and develops strategies for prevention, treatment and care. It is an institution within the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres with nine sites across Germany (Berlin, Bonn, Dresden, Göttingen, Magdeburg, Munich, Rostock/Greifswald, Tübingen and Witten). The DZNE cooperates closely with universities, their clinics and other research facilities.

The DZNE in Bonn offers a position as

PhD student (f/m) – Code 1470/2017/4

to join the Neuronal Networks Group of Prof. Dr. Stefan Remy.

Project description:
The hippocampus is an important brain structure for spatial and episodic memory. During locomotor activity and spatial navigation it is under the control of subcortical regions such as the medial septum, the locus coeruleus and the raphe system. We have shown recently using two-photon calcium imaging and in-vivo patch-clamp recordings that the medial septum not only controls the firing rates of hippocampal neurons and theta oscillations in a speed-dependent manner, but also controls the vigor of locomotor activity (Fuhrmann et al, Neuron 2015; Justus et al, Nature Neuroscience 2017). We now want to investigate (by using optogenetic and chemogenetic tools, in-vivo calcium imaging, retrograde tracing, and electrophysiology) how neuromodulatory afferents from the raphe system to the medial septum modulate locomotor activity and hippocampal neuronal activity. Moreover, we want to find out under which behavioural conditions these inputs are engaged.

Qualifications and experience:
Candidates will preferably hold a university degree in Biology, Mathematics, Informatics, Physics or other related disciplines. Experience in Neuroscience and programming skills are highly desirable. Team work, critical thinking, and excellent communication- and writing-skills in English are a prerequisite.

We offer:
· The opportunity to work in an international ERC funded research team
· Integration in a scientific highly dynamic, international and interdisciplinary environment within the DZNE and the SFB 1089 (“ Synaptic microcircuits in health and disease”)
· The successful candidate will be part of the BIGS Graduate School of Neuroscience and will obtain special skills and knowledge for his/her scientific qualification.
· Employment, payment and social benefits are consistent with those at other research institutes
· Common languages at work are English and German

The DZNE is an equal opportunity employer. The DZNE especially welcomes and encourages disabled individuals to apply.
Application
Interested candidates can apply via the following link:

jobs.dzne.de/en/jobs/31/form

Applications should include CV with full publication list.

Application deadline: 01.06.2017
For further information, please visit
http://www.dzne.de/standorte/bonn/forschergruppen/remy.html
http://bigs-neuroscience.de/

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Don't forget to mention Naturejobs when applying

Employer:Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE).

Website:http://www.dzne.de

Location:Bonn, Germany

Expires:June 01, 2017

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Unspecified

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Unspecified