Call closed
2021 PhD position
CALL CLOSED
PhD position in the physiological roles of the brain extracellular space
Join us in a challenging and gratifying endeavour to understand the brain in health and disease!
The project will address what has been dubbed the last frontier in neuroscience: the brain extracellular space (ECS). The brain ECS has remained rudimentarily understood, mainly because its complex structure has not been resolvable by live-cell compatible microscopy techniques such as confocal and 2-photon imaging. Now, based on the recent STED based super-resolution shadow imaging (SUSHI) approach, we can address the geometric structure of the ECS in live mouse brain slices and begin to systematically map out its structure and dynamics.
This project seeks to understand how the ECS shapes diffusion to effectively modulate signalling and metabolite clearance. This will be done by a combination of STED/SUSHI microscopy, slice electrophysiology and computational modelling, as well as other techniques. There will be particular weight on investigating microglia cells in the context of the surrounding ECS.
It is a technically challenging project that involves daily hands-on work on the optical and electrical components of a custom STED microscope, as well as patch-clamp electrophysiology that generally requires patience and stamina.
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a qualifying degree in biophotonics, neuroscience, biomedicine, biophysics, or a related subject. We will provide all the necessary training for the candidate, who is ideally technically minded in addition to having an interest in neuroscience. In addition to previous training, a proven ability to learn and adapt will be considered important factors in the evaluation. The candidate should have scientific curiosity, be capable of independent thinking, and have the motivation to take charge and advance the project. Further, the candidate should be able to contribute in collaborative projects, and contribute to an enthusiastic, productive and fun work environment. The language of the lab is English. We encourage anyone who broadly meet these criteria to apply, and we are committed to evaluating all applications in an unbiased way.
We offer 4 years of fully funded PhD studies at the University of the Basque Country financed through the Spanish Government's State Research Agency (AEI). It is part of a new project in our group funded through an AEI grant. The gross salary is around 17.000 €/year and the project includes a mandatory collaborative research visit to an international lab. Our recently established research group resides in new facilities at the Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience in the campus area of the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao. We have our own custom STED microscope, an electrophysiology setup, as well as fully equipped general lab space. In addition, we have access to state of the art core facilities at the Achucarro Center and the University of the Basque Country.
Practical info: The project will be carried out in the Tønnesen Lab at the Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience in Bilbao, Spain, with preliminary starting date July 2022 (flexible).
CALL CLOSED
To apply
Please send as PDFs
1) Letter of motivation (max 1 page)
2) Updated CV
3) The contact info of two former supervisors/mentors
to Jan Tønnesen at jan.tonnesen@ehu.eus and with email subject: 2021 PhD position
Additional information and questions
University of the Basque Country doctoral program in neuroscience