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<b>The Biomicrotechnology Lab of <a
href="http://www.imtek.de/professuren/biomikrotechnik/biomikrotechnik_startseite">Prof.
Ulrich Egert</a> is looking for a PhD student </b><br>
<br>
Research Topic: <br>
“Local Balance in Neuronal Networks"<br>
Neuronal networks with inhomogeneous connectivity have been
suggested to be more robust against saturation and excessive
synchronization in high input regimes. This strongly depends on the
specific type of balance of excitation and inhibition as well as the
role and effectiveness or long range connectivity. Locally
unbalanced networks could contribute to an optimal representation of
information in wide range of input regimes, or conversely to
pathological network dynamics. In this context, we are interested in
the role of inhibition/excitation balance beyond the statistical
mean. We expect that local variability, the extent of connectivity
and the specific properties of inhibitory/excitatory balance
influence the activity structure and robustness of neuronal
networks. We test this in synthetic networks of cultured cortical
neurons using electrophysiological, optogenetic and computational
techniques. This project explores the control of neuronal network
states via optogenetic modulation of the excitation/inhibition
interaction.<br>
<br>
Funding:<br>
We invite applications to join the lab for a 3-4 year PhD project in
neurophysiology within the <a
href="http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/teaching-and-training/braindisc">PhD
program “BrainDisC”</a> at the Bernstein Center Freiburg. The
project is financed by a fellowship of the DAAD that can only be
awarded to non-German applicants that have not been staying in
Germany for more than 15 months at the time of their application.<br>
<br>
Requirements:<br>
The successful applicant has some prior training in experimental
neurophysiology, excellent command of the English language, high
motivation for independent work, knowledge of some programming
language, ideally Matlab or Python, and willingness to contribute to
an international team. Experience with cell cultures, network
modeling or intracellular recording would be a plus.<br>
<br>
The Bernstein Center Freiburg:<br>
The <a href="http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/">Bernstein Center
Freiburg</a> concentrates research in Computational Neuroscience
and Neurotechnology at the University of Freiburg, Germany. The
projects are highly interdisciplinary and span across
mathematical-theoretical approaches on the function and dynamics of
neuronal networks, neuroanatomy, experimentally driven
neurophysiology and the development of technologies for medical
application. <br>
<br>
How to apply:<br>
Please apply using our online form at
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://yoda.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/">https://yoda.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/</a> and indicate "Egert" as preferred
project. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2017.<br>
<br>
Further details on: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/jobs">www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/jobs</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
-- <br>
Dr. Birgit Ahrens
<br>
Teaching & Training Coordinator
<br>
Bernstein Center Freiburg
<br>
University of Freiburg
<br>
Hansastr. 9a
<br>
D - 79104 Freiburg
<br>
Germany
<br>
Phone: +49 (0) 761 203-9575
<br>
Fax: +49 (0) 761 203-9559
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