We are seeking young scientific talents who want to use their skills and abilities in research and strive for further scientific qualification. In the second funding period there will be job openings for PhD as well as for MD students.

open PhD Positions

The next and final round has started!

SynAGE is now seeking

13 highly motivated PhD candidates

Requirements profile:

  • You have a university degree (MSc or comparable) in neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, psychology or related disciplines
  • You show enthusiasm and dedication for basic and translational research
  • You have a strong motivation to learn new methodologies and the ability to independently plan, conduct and analyse experiments
  • You are a creative and active team player, fluent in English

Your benefits:

  • You have the opportunity to pursue a PhD and are supported and promoted accordingly
  • You will be working in an interdisciplinary environment and an international team
  • You have the opportunity to learn cutting-edge neuroscience and neurotechniques
  • You can expect excellent infrastructure, modern workspaces and very well-equipped labs
  • You will experience strong mentoring, professionalism training and career support

If you want to apply, please click here! This is the only way to submit an application.

The PhD candidates will work on the following topics:

The PhD candidates will work on the following topics:

A1: Regulation of mechanosensitive signaling by neural extracellular matrix

This project, co-directed by Prof. A. Dityatev (DZNE Magdeburg) and Prof. C. Seidenbecher (LIN), aims to identify key components of neural extracellular matrix, which regulate the activation of mechanosensitive channels and downstream signaling, and target them genetically and pharmacologically to restore functional and structural synaptic plasticity in aged mice. Biochemical, molecular biological, imaging and electrophysiological methods will be used in this study.

The PhD candidate will work at the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e. V. (DZNE).

A2: The healthy ageing synapse: Roles of the hippo kinase Ndr2

Previous work in this project has shown that loss of Ndr2 in mice protects them from ageing related changes in neuronal gene expression, neuroinflammation, and loss of hippocampus dependent cognitive functions. In this PhD project we want to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms of by which Ndr2 is involved in ageing of neuronal cells. To this end, in cell culture experiments and life-cell imaging we will investigate the molecular and cellular changes including gene expression, cytoskeletal reorganization, and growth of neurites and dendrites upon acute and chronic activation and inactivation of Ndr2 kinase. Our observations will be translated in vivo using conditional transgenic and knock out mice.

The PhD candidate will work at the Faculty for Natural Sciences of the Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg (OvGU).

A3: Rejuvenating astrocytic influences on tripartite synapse function with anti-aging drugs

As part of project A3, we will aim to revert age-related alterations of astrocytic mechanotransduction by targeting the Hippo pathway as one of the relevant signaling hubs conveying mechanical forces. We will test anti-aging drugs and use genetic targeting strategies in combination with biochemical, cell and molecular biology and imaging techniques to evaluate effects on astrocytic physiology and their contribution to synaptic function.

The PhD candidate will work at the Medical Faculty of the Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg (OvGU).

B1: Towards new treatments for vascular dementia

This project, directed by Prof. A. Dityatev (DZNE Magdeburg) in close collaboration with Prof. S. Schreiber (OvGU), aims to elucidate inflammatory processes in the neurovascular unit during aging and target sodium-glucose cotransporters, extracellular proteolysis and the complement system to improve blood-brain-barrier function and interfere with synaptic elimination and other forms of synaptic remodeling induced by microglia near to microvascular damage sites in mice.

The PhD candidate will work at the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e. V. (DZNE).

B2: Towards new treatments for vascular dementia – translational part

This project, directed by Prof. S. Schreiber (OvGU Magdeburg) in close collaboration with Prof. A. Dityatev (DZNE), focuses on brain microvascular plasticity in humans. It aims to investigate microvascular hemodynamics, inflammatory processes and blood-brain barrier function in relation to neural network connectivity during aging and physical stress, and how these relationships can be improved by different pharmacological therapies.

The PhD candidate will work at the Medical Faculty of the Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg (OvGU).

C1: The synaptic proteome in high-risk ageing

Synaptic insulin resistance underlies cognitive impairment in obesity and is a major risk factor for Alzheimers‘ Disease. In a mouse model of high-risk ageing we try to prevent cognitive decline by targeting nodal points of synaptic function that are dysregulated in disease. Advanced proteomic methods will be combined with functional analysis encompassing work in primary neuronal cultures and in vivo.

The PhD candidate will work at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN).

C2: tba

description follows

The PhD candidate will work at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN).

C3: Discovering ageing and Alzheimer’s disease by advanced multivariate modelling techniques and AI

We offer a PhD project hosted by the Modelling and Neuroprognosis Group (IKND, http://www.iknd.ovgu.de/AG+Dr_+Ziegler.html), supervised by Dr. Ziegler and Prof. Düzel. The project focuses on applying advanced multivariate modelling techniques and AI to analyze, characterize, and predict individual differences in structural (morphometric and vascular) and functional neuroimaging data related to aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Our aim is to characterize interesting dynamics, brain reserve and maintenance using large-scale longitudinal data.

The PhD candidate will work at the Medical Faculty of the Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg (OvGU).

D2: Memory function and network dynamics in hippocampal-cortical circuits

The PhD student will investigate patterns of hyperactivity that occur with aging and lead to altered long-range and local synaptic function and subsequent aberrant network excitability along with associated memory deficits. Specifically, the candidate will investigate the underlying contribution of cell-type specific projections within hippocampal-cortical circuits in mice and characterize the synaptic changes within long-range versus local cortical circuits across aging. The candidate will gain valuable experience with in vivo two-photon imaging, molecular cell identification, and computational analysis.

The PhD candidate will work at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN) with Prof. Janelle Pakan and in close cooperation with Prof. Stefan Remy (LIN), as well as Dr. Anne Maass (DZNE Magdeburg), where the results will also be directly related to MRI-based experiments in humans.

E1: Muscarinic signaling in the hippocampus and its relevance for cognitive vitality in old age

Based on extensive molecular analysis of muscarinic signaling we will target defined synaptic connections in hippocampal microcircuits with a known role for a given cognitive faculty that can be tested in behavioural paradigms (working memory as well as pattern separation/completion) and associated in vivo network activity changes. The ultemate aim is to boost detoriating synaptic function in old age. The methodology encompasses molecular, cellular, circuit and behavioral approaches with cutting edge technology (i.e. Super-Resolution microscopy, multi-electrode electrophysiological recordings, spatial transcriptomice etc,).

The PhD candidate will work at the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN).

E2: Cholinergic mechanisms controlling local circuits in the dentate gyrus

Prior work in our group has demonstrated a critical role of cholinergic neuromodulation in the control of hippocampal circuit activity, plasticity and engram formation, and the detrimental effects of its ageing related decline. In this project, we will investigate with electrophysiological tools in vitro and in vivo, chemo- and pharmacogenetic intervention the cholinergic modulation network activity in the hippocampus. We will examine the effect of modulating afferences from the medial septum and the role of specific local interneuron populations in generating behaviorally relevant network activity patterns, and the formation of memory engrams.

The PhD candidate will work at the Faculty for Natural Sciences of the Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg (OvGU).

open MD Positions

The next round for MD positions starts in October 2024.

Recruitment

If you are interested in joining us, you can meet the PIs as well as postdocs and current PhD and MD students. We will give you insights into our projects and try to answer all your questions on getting a MD at SynAGE.

What our research focusses on?

You can find details on our current projects under Projects and more general information under About Us.

What you can expect?

We offer 14 MD positions:

  • cutting-edge technologies
  • career guidance and support
  • international networks
  • one-year scholarships starting October 2024

How to apply?

After the recruitment night, if you have interest in a project

  • please send a CV and motivation letter stating what project you are interested in to the SynAGE coordinator Dr. Dana Zöllner
  • feedback will usually be given within 1 week

Further information: pdf