[Comp-neuro] Job offer: PhD student in computational neuroscience in Jülich, Germany

Dear all,

we are are seeking a PhD student in computational neuroscience - please find more information below.

Kind regards,

Martina





Project title:

Structure, dynamics and function of the septo-hippocampal network in Alzheimer's disease

Project summary:

Increasing evidence points to a cascade of functional and neuropathological changes in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), from early synaptic dysfunction to synapse and cell loss at later stages. The medial septal nucleus and the hippocampus are among the first brain structures affected by progressing AD. It is widely accepted that the hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories. The medial septum plays a central role in generating rhythmic theta activity in the hippocampus, thereby promoting synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and, hence, learning.

In a joint project with Prof. Dr. Stefan Remy from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE; http://www.dzne.de/en/sites/bonn/research-groups/remy.html), we will investigate how AD related changes at the synaptic and neuronal level affect the dynamics and the functional properties of the septo-hippocampal network during different stages of the disease. We will combine mathematical modeling approaches and novel optogenetic-imaging and electrophysiology experiments to obtain a deeper understanding of how networks maintain and adapt their performance in the intact and the neurodegenerative brain. Moreover, we will manipulate neural networks to improve and potentially restore network performance in vivo, in vitro, and in silico.

For the modeling part of the project, we are inviting a PhD candidate with a background in Computational Neuroscience, Physics, Computer Science or related fields. The research will be conducted at the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6), Jülich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany (www.csn.fz-juelich.de). We offer a position in a creative and international team, themes ranging from computational neuroscience to simulation technology. The Jülich Research Centre is one of the largest research centers in Germany, with best scientific equipment worldwide, on a green campus, near the cultural centers Köln, Düsseldorf und Aachen. The PhD position is available for 3 years, starting as soon as possible.

Applications, including a motivation letter, a CV, copies of university certificates, and one letter of reference should be sent as a single PDF email attachment (max. 10MB) latest until December 1st, 2013, to

Dr. Tom Tetzlaff (t.tetzlaff@fz-juelich.de) and
Prof. Dr. Sonja Grün (s.gruen@fz-juelich.de)

Inst. of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) &
Inst. for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6)
Jülich Research Centre and JARA
Jülich, Germany
www.csn.fz-juelich.de

--         Martina Reske, Ph.D.  Scientific Coordinator  Computational and Systems Neuroscience  Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6)  Forschungszentrum Juelich  Leo-Brandt-Strasse  52425 Juelich  Germany  Tel. +49.2461.611916  Fax. +49.2461.619460

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Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
52425 Juelich
Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich
Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher
Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr. Achim Bachem (Vorsitzender),
Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt,
Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt
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