Open PhD position in Neuroscience

The Institute of Biochemistry at the Department of Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) invites applications for a PhD position in molecular Neuroscience.
The labs of Dr. Klotz-Weigand and Prof. Dr. Enz are interested in neurotransmitter receptors in sensory tissue in the auditory and visual system. The research project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for 3 years and will analyse the composition and function of pre-synaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse of the auditory system. A set of complementary anatomical, biochemical and pharmacological techniques will be utilized including immunohistochemical co-stainings on cochlear tissue with subsequent analysis by confocal and high-resolution STED microscopy, co-immunoprecipitations out of neuronal tissue and time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET) measurements. Furthermore, we plan to study the function of mGluR types at inner hair cell ribbon synapses by a combination of electrophysiological and physiological techniques to elucidate their function related to hearing deficits.
The ideal applicant should have a strong interest in molecular neuroscience and in the above-described techniques. The applicant will join the Institute of Biochemistry and benefit from long lasting collaborations with the Department of Biology and the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. Furthermore, the applicant will have access to core facilities and to the program of the graduate school of the FAU.
The research project is strengthened by an ongoing research collaboration with the University of Montpellier (France) to perform TR-FRET measurements at their Arpege platform. Furthermore, we can rely on the profound expertise of our cooperation partner in Göttingen at the Institute of Auditory Neuroscience for patch-clamp measurement’s of inner hair cells in the cochlea.

Your profile:

• A concluded (or soon to be concluded) Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in the life sciences (biology, biochemistry or similar), preferably with a background and/or a strong interest in neurobiology.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of German is an advantage.

We look forward to your application. Please send a single pdf file to: lisa.janina.klotz@fau.de
The application documents should include:
Curriculum vitae
Letter of motivation
Copies of Bachelors and Master´s degree

Application deadline:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.