Job Description
Opportunity for a PhD position: Studying interneurons and memory in Institute of Physiology
This newly funded project, supported by the German Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d) to investigate how inhibitory interneurons shape memory encoding and retrieval in the hippocampal CA3 circuit.
The project is hosted in the Bartos Laboratory at the University of Freiburg, a leading center for systems and circuit neuroscience with state-of-the-art infrastructure for electrophysiology, behavioral experiments and in vivo Ca2+ imaging. The lab’s research focuses on the microcircuits underlying learning, memory, and coordinated network dynamics.
This PhD project aims to uncover how parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneuron subtypes (basket cells and axoaxonic cells) control hippocampal network activity. You will apply advanced in vitro and in vivo approaches to dissect how these microcircuits support memory operations at the cellular and ensemble level.
You will:
Perform in vitro whole-cell recordings of interneuron subtypes in CA3 and/or
Conduct in vivo two-photon calcium imaging during virtual reality–based behavioral tasks.
Use optogenetics to manipulate identified PV+ INs and test their causal role in memory processing.
analyze large, multi-modal datasets
Contribute to teaching of medical students
Qualifications:
M.Sc. (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related field
Strong interest in systems and circuit neuroscience, learning and memory, and neuronal computation
High motivation, strong communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively
Willingness to work with mice, including behavioral training and surgical procedures
Programming experience (Python and/or MATLAB)
Prior experience in immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging or rodent behavioral experiments is highly beneficial
Offer:
A stimulating and collaborative research environment.
Access to cutting-edge technical equipment including 2-photon imaging and VR setups, optogenetics, and stereotactic surgery stations.
Integration into a interdisciplinary community of scientists.
Technical and IT support staff.
Involved mentoring and supervision.
Comprehensive training opportunities through the local graduate school as well as international courses.
Salary according to German salary grade TV-L, E13 (65%), fixed-term for 36 months with potential renewal based on funding and performance
The starting date is flexible between 01 January 2026 and 01 July 2026.