Connectionists: PhD-Position at the Bernstein Center Freiburg

[Janina Kirsch]

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%% Ph.D.-Position                                    %%
%% "Multielectrode arrays with adjustable stiffness" %%
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Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology (www.imtek.de/bmt)

Electrodes can only be inserted into the tissue in parallel to the needle
axis. Therefore, a minimum critical stiffness is necessary. These electrodes
are not flexible and cannot adapt to curvature of anatomical structures and
pulsatile changes of position. Research focuses on different strategies to
improve the tissue-material interface: geometrical variations like lattices
structures, tubular substrates with resorbable cores, surface modifications,
and hydrogel coatings on stiff substrates. However, with these state of the
art developments the basic problems in penetrating microelectrodes are not
solved. 

We will develop novel concepts for penetrating multichannel microelectrodes
in which the mechanical stiffness can be adjusted to match the different
requirements during insertion and chronic recording.

The successful applicant has a second degree (M.Sc, Diploma or equivalent)
in neuroscience, biology, or medicine and has a solid background in
electrical engineering and systems neuroscience as well as a strong interest
in interdisciplinary research. He/she will perform acute and chronic
recordings in rodents to test the biocompatibility and long-term
functionality of new electrodes. Additionally, histological and
immunohistochemical test will be performed to quantify the reaction of the
nervous tissue.

The Bernstein Center Freiburg concentrates research in Computational
Neuroscience and Neurotechnology at the University of Freiburg, Germany. The
projects are highly interdisciplinary and span from mathematical-theoretical
approaches on the function and dynamics of neuronal networks over
neuroanatomy and experimentally driven neurophysiology up to the development
of technologies for medical application.

The position is open immediately until filled.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Stieglitz
Biomedical Microtechnology
Department of Microsystems Engineering
University of Freiburg - IMTEK
Georges-Koehler-Allee 102
79110 Freiburg, Germany
stieglitz at imtek.uni-freiburg.de