PhD in Goettingen: Molecular Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and consolidation

The Institute of Biophysics at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen is looking to fill the position of a

Ph.D. position

German Salary Scale TV-L E13, 66% (of 39.8 weekly hours)

for 3 years to work on theoretical models of the molecular underpinnings of (structural) synaptic plasticity and consolidation. This post is designed to foster young researchers and give the successful applicant the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree. The position should be filled by September 15th 2021 or soon thereafter.

• Suitable candidates should hold a Master in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or comparable subjects, preferably with some additional experiences in Computational Neuroscience, Geometrical Modeling and Stochastic Processes.
• We expect excellent mathematical and coding skills (e.g., Python, Matlab, C++) as well as skills in scientific communication (including proficiency in English).
• The candidate should be curious, highly motivated, self-organized, and show a keen interest to work in a lively research team, collaborate with experimental research labs and to perform leading-edge research.

The positions will be affiliated with the groups of Dr. Michael Fauth and Prof Florentin Wörgötter, who are investigating the emergence of stable behavior like memory and computation in the presence of a continuously changing biological substrate (see, e.g., Fauth & van Rossum, eLife, 2019; Bonilla-Quintana et al., Scientific Reports 2021). The aim of the research project is to model the dynamics of the synaptic scaffolding protein actin as well as its influence on synapse geometry during and after synaptic plasticity, exporing a possible molecular mechanism for the consolidation of synaptic changes. The project is embedded in and funded through the Collaborative Research Center 1286 “Quantitative Synaptology” (German Science Foundation). Consequently, the successful candidate will alsobe involved and pursue an active collaboration with experimental partners within the CRC.

The Göttingen Campus is a leading center of neuroscience in Europe hosting numerous internationally renowned research institutions, including the University and its Medical Center, the three life science Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience Institute, the German Primate Center, and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Göttingen.

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The mission of the University is to employ a greater number of severely disabled persons. Applications from severely disabled persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.

Please send your e-mail application, preferably in one single PDF-document, including a letter of interest, your curriculum vitae, copies of your certificates and contact information of at least two references until 30th of August, 2021 to Dr. Michael Fauth, e-mail: mfauth@gwdg.de.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Michael Fauth via e-mail.

Please note:

With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)