PhD position in computational neuroscience (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD position to work with Dr. Peter Jedlicka at Goethe-University Frankfurt in an NSF & BMBF funded US-Germany project aimed at understanding how chloride dynamics affect cerebellar computation. This project is in collaboration with Dr. Fidel Santamaria at The University of Texas at San Antonio and Dr. Thomas Kuner at Heidelberg University. The PhD student will be involved in the generation and implementation of computational models focusing on chloride-dependent changes in cerebellar inhibition. The student will be using computer simulations to reproduce/predict data from electrophysiology experiments on neurons expressing diverse fluorescent molecules that report chloride concentrations. Visits to US for short-term and long-term periods of time to learn techniques and exchange information are part of the activities of this grant. The successful candidate should have a background in physics, mathematics, engineering or computational neuroscience. Experience in scientific programming is highly desirable. The appointment will be starting in November/December 2012.

Please submit a CV and statement of research interests to:

Dr. Peter Jedlicka (jedlicka@em.uni-frankfurt.de)
NeuroScience Center
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Anatomy I)
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
Goethe-University
60590 Frankfurt
Germany

The project is related to these recent publications:

Jedlicka P, Deller T, Gutkin BS, Backus KH (2011) Activity-dependent intracellular chloride accumulation and diffusion controls GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic transmission. Hippocampus 21:885-98.

Santamaria F, Wils S, De Schutter E, Augustine GJ (2011). The diffusional properties of dendrites depend on the density of dendritic spines. Eur. J. Neurosci. 34:561-8.

Coop AD, Cornelis H, and Santamaria F (2010). Dendritic excitability modulates dendritic information processing in a Purkinje cell model. Front. Comput. Neurosci. 4:6. doi:10.3389/fncom.2010.00006.

Santamaria F, Wils S, De Schutter E, Augustine GJ (2006). Anomalous diffusion in Purkinje cell dendrites caused by spines. Neuron 52:635-648.

Dübel J, Haverkamp S, Schleich W, Augustine GJ, Feng G, Kuner T, Euler T (2006). Two-photon imaging reveals somato-dendritic chloride gradient in retinal ON-type bipolar cells expressing the biosensor Clomeleon. Neuron 49, 81-49.

P.S. If you are interested and will be attending FENS 2012 in Barcelona just send me an email or give me a call so that we can meet and talk.


--
Peter Jedlicka, MD, PhD
NeuroScience Center
Clinical Neuroanatomy (Anatomy I)
Goethe-University
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
D-60590 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: ++49 (179) 238 6269
Fax:   ++49 (69) 6301 6425
Email: jedlicka@em.uni-frankfurt.de
http://peterjedlicka.googlepages.com