Potential PhD Projects
An overview with a few of the advertised potential projects that PhD candidates could start in the upcoming winter semester. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and that many projects are arranged individually during the Interview Phase with our 160+ GSN Faculty Members.
PhD position in Neurovascular biology - vascular brain injury (m/f/d)
Project and task:
The project, which will be carried out in the group of Martin Dichgans, aims to examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of microvascular brain injury in novel mouse models of cerebral small vessel disease. These models are derived from our gene discovery efforts and show great promise as indicated by a first phenotypic screen. The project involves single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and cutting-edge imaging technology (confocal, light-sheet, 2-photon, and electron microscopy), as well as cell culture-related work. All technologies are available in-house (see ISD and SyNergy websites).
Our requirements:
The ideal candidate should hold an MSc degree in biological sciences or related fields and have a solid foundation in basic methods of molecular and cellular biology. Prior experience in vascular research, experimental work in mice, scRNAseq, proteomics, and cutting-edge imaging are considered a plus. The candidate should be creative, self-driven, and a team player - but able to work independently. Essential qualities include fluency in English, rigor in pursuing scientific work, and an interest in disease-oriented research.
Our offers:
The position will be in a highly international, dynamic and “open-door” atmosphere, with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and technology hubs as implemented by the Munich cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy, DFG-funded German Excellence Initiative). You will work in a diverse team of experienced staff, PhD students, Postdocs and technicians. There is the possibility to apply for enrollment in the Graduate School for Systemic Neuroscience (GSN), to which our Institute is affiliated. Salary will be according to TV-L and the position is funded for up to 2 years with an option for extension. The Ludwig-Maximilians-University is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of all nationalities, genders, ages, and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We give priority to applicants with a disability and essentially equal qualifications.
Interested candidates should submit their complete application documents (including motivation letter, CV, and transcripts within a single PDF file)
Contact: melanie.roesch@med.uni-muenchen.de (PI to Martin Dichgans)
Potential PhD projects in the Baier Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
1) Neural circuitry for spatial navigation in zebrafish: transpriptomics, connectomics & behavior (https://www.bi.mpg.de/news/2024-11-baier) [Methods: imaging, computation, single-cell RNA sequencing, behavioral assays]
2) Synaptic connectome of the tectum, a sensorimotor hub in the middle of the vertebrate brain [Methods: computation, machine learning, imaging]
3) Multiomic brain atlas of zebrafish: Transcriptional profiling and connectivity of neuronal cell types [Methods: machine learning, imaging, computation, single-cell RNA sequencing]
4) Cichlid neurobiology: Developmental neurobiology of phototaxis behavior in cichlid larvae [Methods: imaging, computation, single-cell RNA sequencing, behavioral assays]
5) Fish psychiatry: Models, molecules, and mechanisms of depression and anxiety in zebrafish [Methods: single-cell RNA sequencing, behavioral assays, imaging]
PhD positions in the Mayer Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
The research focuses on gene-regulatory mechanisms shaping inhibitory neuronal diversity and their links to neurodevelopmental disorders.
PhD students will lead projects exploring molecular pathways underlying neural diversity, using advanced techniques such as CRISPR-based perturbations, single-cell sequencing, and chromatin analysis.
This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
PhD position on EU funded project at LMU Munich - Wahl Lab
We are looking for motivated candidates (1x fully funded postdoc position and 1x fully funded PhD position) for a EU-funded project unveiling fundamental principles of neuronal repair after stroke to develop novel treatment approaches preventing cognitive decline.
What do we offer?
We are currently building a new team at the Institute of Stroke and Dementia Research (https://neuronal-repair.de) to continue the work we have started at the Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich. You will be integrated in the vital research environment at LMU, the Center of Stroke and Dementia Research (CSD - https://www.isd-research.de/isd-research) as well as of the Excellence Cluster SyNergy (https://www.synergy-munich.de) participating in lectures, seminars and retreats. You will learn state-of-the-art methods in neuroscience such as multiphoton calcium imaging in vivo, optogenetics, chemogenetics, micro-surgeries, histology, and application of deep learning methods.
Aim of the projects?
The projects aim at understanding neuronal rewiring and reorganization as intrinsic repair mechanisms of the brain on a neuronal network level. We would like to understand how neurons form new circuits, reconnect and compensate for lost ones to enable the recovery of impaired sensorimotor and cognitive functions after CNS injury such as stroke. As we would like to understand causal relationships between neuronal rewiring and the behavioral phenotype we also develop deep learning algorithms for further analysis.
What do you bring in?
As a future PhD student: A very good Master or Diploma degree in physics, biomedicine, biology or bioinformatics or related topics; experience in programming (ideally Matlab or Python), ideally some neuroscience background with experience in animal experiments and calcium imaging; scientific creativity and ability to work in a team.
We also require fluency in spoken and written English and ideally some knowledge in German.
The positions are available for the winter semester 2024. Gross salary will be according to the statutes of LMU Munich/ LMU University Hospital.
For informal enquiries please contact
Prof. Dr. Dr. Anna-Sophia Wahl
Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, LMU Klinikum
Feodor-Lynen Str. 17
D-81377 Munich
Email: AnnaSophia.Wahl@med.uni-muenchen.de
https://neuronal-repair.de/
Seeking Passionate PhD Student for Cutting-Edge Neuro-Inflammation Research - Ertürk Lab
Are you intrigued by the mechanism governing neuroinflammation? Eager to pioneer discoveries leading to innovative therapies for neuroinflammation in acute, chronic or infections disease? Join our groundbreaking neuroinflammation project as a PhD student at the Ertürk lab located at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research and the Helmholtz Center Munich (https://www.erturk-lab.com/).
What You Will Do:
• Build on our discoveries on the relationship between the skull bone marrow and neuroinflammation (Cai… Ertürk, Nat. Neuro, 2019; Kolabas…Ertürk, Cell, 2023; Rong … Ertürk, Cell Host&Microbe, 2024)
• Employ advanced tissue clearing methods, such as wildDISCO for whole-body immunolabeling (Mai…Ertürk, Nature Biotechnolgoy 2023), and AI algorithms for in-depth analysis of imaging data (e.g.Todorov..Ertürk, Nat. Methods, 2020; Kaltenecker ..Ertürk, Nat. Methods, 2024; Kaltenecker..Ertürk, bioRxiv, 2024).
• Investigate the molecular mechanisms by which peripheral and central inflammation interact using DISCO-MS (Bhatia, …, Ertürk, Cell, 2022).
• Develop potential therapeutic interventions to modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways (Bhatia…Ertürk, Cell, 2022, and Kobalas…Ertürk, Cell, 2023).
• Publish high-impact research papers and present your findings at international conferences.
What We Offer:
• State-of-the-art facilities for advanced whole-body imaging and computational analysis.
• Collaborative opportunities with leading experts in neuroscience, AI, and oncology.
• A robust international research network, connecting with prominent groups worldwide.
• A dynamic, interactive environment fostering critical thinking and innovative research.
Your Profile:
• A strong background in neuroscience, immunology, or related fields.
• A driven curiosity to explore the uncharted interplay between the nervous system and the brain border regions.
• A commitment to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries that improve patient outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
Join Us! Be part of our team to explore this exciting new frontier in nerve-cancer research.
Contact: ali.erturk@helmholtz-munich.de or Stefanie Reitinger for general information stefanie.reitinger@helmholtz-munich.de
Doctoral position, ENTRY-DM: MSCA Doctoral network - Interdisciplinary doctoral training on oligonucleotide-based therapies for myotonic dystrophy - PD Dr. Peter Meinke
PhD position in the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Meinl Lab (in connection with the groups of Simone Mader and Franziska Thaller)
About us: The Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology is devoted to research into the mechanisms and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and related diseases. Our institute combines research at the biomedical center (BMC) with taking care for patients at the Klinikum Großhadern. This infrastructure is ideally suited for joining basic research with clinically relevant issues.
Background and project: Inflammatory diseases of the CNS comprise a spectrum of disorders, amongst which MS is the most frequent one. These diseases are due to misguided autoreactive immune cells that attack the own nervous system and induce chronic inflammation. We aim to (1) explore the autoimmunity against known target antigens and identify novel targets of autoimmune responses to stratify patients, (2) recognize mechanisms of actions of immunomodulatory drugs applied to patients with MS and related disorders. This specific project aims at understanding the role of B cells and plasma cells in neuroinflammation and will be performed in the BMC in the lab of Prof. Dr. Edgar Meinl.
More details at https://job-portal.lmu.de/jobposting/b7fe9363a94f3dd54b43d7b418ed987bbfaa6c730?ref=homepage