PhD student (m/f/d)

The University Hospital Bonn (UKB) is a maximum care hospital with more than 1,300 beds. Our more than 9,000 employees take on tasks in research, teaching and patient care as well as in public health at the highest level. In the science ranking (LOMV) and in the economic result, the UKB is number 1 of the university hospitals in NRW and in 2021 had the third highest case mix index of the university hospitals in Germany.

The Institute of Cellular Neurosciences at the University of Bonn/University Hospital Bonn (Bonn, Germany) invites applications for a part-time PhD student position.

PhD student (m/f/d)

A neuroscience PhD studentship in the field of synaptic physiology is available in the laboratory of Prof. Christian Henneberger at the Institute of Cellular Neurosciences (University of Bonn, Germany). The three-year position is part of a larger effort to understand how neuronal and synaptic function are dynamically controlled by astrocytes. We have previously discovered that the structure of perisynaptic astrocytes is highly dynamic and rapidly changes during neuronal plasticity and in epilepsy. We will now explore how such rapid remodeling of astrocytes affects the function of nearby excitatory synapses and their plasticity in the rodent hippocampus. We will use novel optical tools to deliberately induce astrocyte remodeling and then establish the effect on excitatory synaptic transmission and its long-term plasticity. Because the latter is a cellular mechanism of learning, we will also test how such manipulations affect the performance of animals in behavioral tests. This will establish a causal relationship between astrocyte remodeling, synapse function and learning.

The position is available from the 1st of January 2025. The contract initially runs for three years due the promotion. The salary will be according to the German salary scale (65% TV-L E13). The University of Bonn is an equal opportunities employer.

Tasks:

The specific aim of the project is to first establish the optical induction of deliberate astrocyte morphology changes. The approach has been tested in cultured cells and will be applied to astrocytes in acute brain slices of the rodent hippocampus. Astrocyte morphology and its changes will be visualized using multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. It will then be tested how such rapid astrocyte morphology changes affect synapse function using electrophysiology and optical methods. Finally, it is planned to use such optical manipulation of astrocyte morphology during established behavioural tests for hippocampus-dependent memory formation. The project relies on an extensive experimental infrastructure for monitoring astrocyte morphology, probing synapse function and behavioural analyses. A broad spectrum of imaging approaches and electrophysiological methods is available to dissect the topic further. Additional information about our research, research methods and recent publications can be found at https://henneberger-lab.com/.

Requirements:

Applicants should have a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or equivalent academic degree in a relevant field of science. In addition, applicants should ideally have experience in some of the mentioned techniques.

We offer:

• Exciting neurobiological research projects using a variety of modern and continuously evolving methods
• A thriving international and collaborative research environment within and beyond the institute and the University of Bonn
• Excellent supervision and support by the principal investigator and colleagues as well as regular group meetings and scientific events
• Enrollment in the structured graduate program of the Bonn International Graduate School for Neuroscience (https://bigs-neuroscience.de/)
• Additional possibilities for further education in university and non-university courses
• Attendance of national and international scientific meetings
• A professional career development program
• A salary according to the German salary scale TV-L (EG 13, 65 %)
• Supplementary benefits in the public sector (pension plan according to VBL)
• Possibility to use the day care center

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore encourages women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome.

How to apply:

Applicants should send their application in a single pdf file (max. 5 MB), including a motivation letter, CV, scanned academic degrees, transcripts of relevant degrees (e.g., M.Sc.) and the contact details of two references. The application deadline is the 29th of September 2024.

Please send your application by email under indication of the reference number ST-11016 to:

Prof. Dr. Christian Henneberger

Institute of Cellular Neurosciences

University of Bonn / Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Venusberg-Campus 1

53127 Bonn

E-Mail: christian.henneberger@uni-bonn.de

www.henneberger-lab.com