Postdoc in Neuroscience (f/m/x)
Full time39 hrs./week
Neuherberg near Munich
We are Helmholtz Munich. We discover breakthrough solutions for better health in a rapidly changing world.
We improve people's quality of life through excellent research. Why not join us and make a difference?
The Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC) founded and funded by Helmholtz Munich stands for the intelligent fusion of biomedical sciences, engineering and digitization. At HPC, top scientific talents from across the globe work together on the development of novel solutions that make a difference in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The Mechanobiology Group headed by Dr. Janna Nawroth at HPC is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow (f/m/x) interested in studying the interplay between ciliary mechanics, fluid transport, and neuronal plasticity in the brain.
The Mechanobiology Group headed by Dr. Janna Nawroth is based at the HPC at Helmholtz Munich, and studies the role of mechanics in shaping living tissues and organisms in health and disease.
We offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary working environment formed by our team of biologists, bioengineers, and mathematicians, advanced training in quantitative imaging and biological fluid analysis, and the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research with local and international collaborators with expertise on physiology, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and animal model systems.
The project
We investigate the role of motile cilia in nature, especially relating to human health and disease.
The function of motile cilia in the brain ventricles remains widely unknown. In this high-risk, exploratory project we aim to investigate the interplay between ciliary beat, fluid transport, and neuronal progenitor cells of the subventricular zone.
We are a seeking a postdoctoral scholar (f/m/x) eager to leverage a combination of electrophysiology, quantitative live imaging, anatomical studies, molecular biology, and – with support from our team and collaborators – computational models and genetic engineering to elucidate the dynamic feedback between cilia mechanics and neuronal signaling.
Due to the exploratory and interdisciplinary nature of the project, you will be expected to design and drive your own hypothesis-driven investigations, develop new methodologies in ex vivo and in vitro tissue, and seek additional training to acquire new expertise as applicable. You will be fully supported in those endeavors through close collaborations with your team members and other research groups, both locally and internationally.
Key References:
- https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.02.12.528181v2 (preprint, accepted in Nat Physics)
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10769450/ (preprint)
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1706926114
Your profile
We are looking for individuals motivated to explore new, exploratory avenues at the intersection of neuroscience and fluid mechanics. Ideal candidates will have or be:
- PhD in neurobiology, neuroscience, mechanical engineering, bioengineering, biology, or related disciplines
- Highly motivated, independently working and eager to take on a high-risk/high-reward exploratory project
- Good publication record with evidence of independence (at least two first-author publications or one high impact first-author publication in international journals)
- Strong skills in experimental neurophysiology and/or biomechanics, imaging, and quantitative data analysis
- Interest in interdisciplinary research
- Fluent in written and spoken English
Desirable qualifications
- Prior postdoctoral or equivalent training
- Experience in interdisciplinary research
Benefits
Since 2005, we hold the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for exemplary action in the sense of an equal-opportunity organizational culture.
Helmholtz Munich is actively committed to diversity and inclusion in practice and is sustainably committed to equality.
The Diversity Charter has set itself the goal of promoting diversity in the world of work. By signing the charter, we commit ourselves to create an appreciative working environment for all employees.
If you fulfil all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade of up to E 13. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TVöD). The position has an (initial) fixed term of 2 years but may be extended under certain circumstances.
We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.
If you have obtained a university degree abroad, we will require further documents from you regarding the comparability of your degree. Please request the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications as early as possible.
