PhD Student
The role of Parvalbumin-expressing Interneurons in the Hippocampus.
This newly funded project, supported by the German Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d) to investigate how inhibitory interneurons shape memory encoding and retrieval in the hippocampal CA3 circuit.
The project is hosted in the Bartos Laboratory at the University of Freiburg, a leading center for systems and circuit neuroscience with state-of-the-art infrastructure for electrophysiology, behavioral experiments and in vivo Ca2+ imaging. The lab’s research focuses on the microcircuits underlying learning, memory, and coordinated network dynamics.
This PhD project aims to uncover how parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneuron subtypes (basket cells and axoaxonic cells) control hippocampal network activity. You will apply advanced in vitro and in vivo approaches to dissect how these microcircuits support memory operations at the cellular and ensemble level.
You will
Perform in vitro whole-cell recordings of interneuron subtypes in CA3 and/or conduct in vivo two-photon calcium
imaging during virtual reality–based behavioral tasks. You will use optogenetics to manipulate identified PV+ INs
and test their causal role in memory processing. You will analyze large, multi-modal datasets and also contribute
to the teaching of medical students.
Qualifications
You should have an M.Sc. (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related field, with a
strong interest in systems and circuit neuroscience, learning, memory, and neuronal computation. You should be
highly motivated, with strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively, You should also be able to
work with mice, including behavioral training, surgical procedures, and have programming experience (Python
and/or MATLAB). Prior experience in immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, 2-photon imaging or rodent
behavioral experiments is highly beneficial.
We offer
A stimulating and collaborative research environment, access to cutting-edge scientific equipment including 2-
photon imaging and Virtual Reality setups, optogenetics, and stereotactic surgery stations, and integration into a
interdisciplinary community of scientists. We provide technical and IT support staff, involved mentoring and
supervision, and comprehensive training opportunities through the local graduate school & international courses
Salary is according to German salary grade TV-L, E13 (65%), for a fixed-term of 36 months with potential renewal
based on funding and performance.
The starting date is flexible, between 01.01.2026 and 01.07.2026. Please visit the FENS Jobmarket to apply.