Biologie Humanmedizin Physik (Doktorarbeit): Role of dynamic glia morphology in synaptic transmission and plasticity

A neuroscience 3-year PhD studentship is available at the Institute of Cellular Neuroscience as of January 2012 (University of Bonn). The student will research novel structural aspects of neuron-glia interaction. Specifically, the short-term dynamics of glial cell morphology, its impact on synaptic transmission and plasticity and its involvement in the pathophysiology of epilepsy will be studied in the hippocampus. The project will be supervised by Dr. C. Henneberger (http://www.izn.uni-bonn.de/front_content.php?idcat=18&lang=2&changelang=2) and involve two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging of hippocampal glial cells in combination with electrophysiology. Applicants would ideally have some prior experience in electrophysiology or imaging.
The prospective PhD student will be embedded in the THEME Medical Neuroscience graduate program and further benefit from the dynamic neuroscience community in Bonn which comprises more than 40 groups focusing on fundamental neuroscience research and its application in the treatment of neurological disorders. Applications including a cover letter and CV should be sent to christian.henneberger@ukb.uni-bonn.de.

PhD position in Soil Science / DFG Research Unit Biogeochemistry of Paddy Soil Evolution (Freising)

The Soil Science Group at Technische Universität München (TUM) offers a doctoral researcher position by December 1st, 2011 for three years. Salary is TV-L E13 (65%) according to the German TV-L system (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder). Our research is focussed on the characterization of soil organic matter and soil organic matter interactions and turnover under different types of soil utilization and management. The group is located at Freising-Weihenstephan, nearby Munich in southern Bavaria.

Project:
Paddy soils make up the largest anthropogenic wetlands on earth. The central topic of the DFG Research Unit 995 “Biogeochemistry of Paddy Soil Evolution” is a better understanding of the biogeochemistry of major processes involved in the formation of paddy soils. During a joint 3-week sampling campaign in February/March 2012, a variety of major soil types which are typically used for rice cultivation in Asia will be sampled in Indonesia (Java), including Acrisols, Andosols and Vertisols.

The central aim of our sub-project is to investigate the stabilisation of organic matter during paddy soil development. In this context, the role of microaggregation, organo-mineral complexes, and charred organic carbon will be analysed. A method consisting of a combination of physical (particle-size and density) and chemical fractionation methods will be adapted to each soil type specifically to isolate aggregates and organo-mineral complexes in soil-type specific soil organic matter (SOM) fractions. The isolated fractions will then be analyzed for the chemical composition of the organic matter by solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy and specifically for the hydrolysable carbohydrate content by GC-MS. The organo-mineral associations will be characterized by selective or total removal of minerals and organic substances in combination with analysis of specific surface area. Soil fractions will be investigated by SEM and NanoSIMS to elucidate the composition of microaggregates and!
 organo-mineral complexes. This will enable us to understand the influence of the parent soil type on aggregation and soil organic carbon stabilisation in dependence of e.g. type and content of iron oxides, and to evaluate the contribution of the different SOM stabilisation processes during paddy soil formation.

Required experience:
A diploma/master's degree in forest science, agronomy, geosciences, geoecology, environmental sciences or a related discipline is required. Candidates should have a strong background in soil science and preferentially also in soil chemistry. They should be willing to work with advanced techniques of soil organic chemistry, such as NMR spectroscopy and NanoSIMS.
Applications should be submitted until October 20, 2011, to
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kögel-Knabner
Lehrstuhl für Bodenkunde
Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt
TU München
85350 Freising-Weihenstephan
Phone: +49-(0)8161-713677
e-mail:  koegel@wzw.tum.de
www.wzw.tum.de/bk

4 year Science Foundation Ireland-funded PhD Studentship in Dundalk Institute of Technology

Dundalk Institute of Technology is the major provider of higher education in the North East region of Ireland and offers courses up to PhD level. Following recent success in attracting grant income from Science Foundation Ireland, the Smooth Muscle Research Centre (www.smoothmusclegroup.org), wishes to recruit a PhD student. Applications are invited from graduates to investigate the molecular mechanism of action of novel ion channel modulators on smooth muscle. Full training will be provided in ion channel cloning, mutagenesis and electrophysiology. Applicants should have a 2:1 or 1st Class Honours Degree (or equivalent) in physiology or another appropriate biological science subject.

Applicants should forward a full CV, detailing any research experience gained to date to the researchoffice@dkit.ie. Informal enquiries regarding this position can be directed to either mark.hollywood@dkit.ie or gerard.sergeant@dkit.ie.

Closing date: October 7th 2011, 5 p.m.

PhD in QED tests in Helium

In the atomic-, molecular and laser physics group at VU University, Amsterdam, we have two openings for PhD research (4 years), which we would like to fill a.s.a.p. We are looking for highly motivated students with an interest in experimental atomic and laser physics. An MSc degree in Physics, Applied Physics or another relevant field is a prerequisite.

Position 1: Ground state He and He+

This project aims to test quantum electrodynamics (QED) theory in the one- and two-electron atoms He+ and He. The He+ ion, in an ion trap, and the He atom, in a collimated atomic beam, will be excited from the ground state by an extreme UV frequency comb based on a femtosecond frequency comb in the infrared which is upconverted to the XUV by high-harmonic generation.

Position 2: Metastable He

This project aims to test QED theory and to measure the fine structure constant a in 3He and 4He, cooled and confined in an optical trap at a temperature of 1 microK. The atoms are in the long-lived metastable triplet state, allowing laser cooling and trapping towards Bose Einstein Condensation (4He) or Fermi degeneracy (3He). Excitation in this case is performed with a continuous wave laser.

Both projects rely on ultrastable lasers to excite atomic transitions and frequency metrology using a femtosecond frequency comb laser, locked to a GPS-controlled Rb clock. Both PhD students will work to build a frequency stabilised laser at the Hz-level

PhD Student in Center for Advanced Bioanalysis GmbH

PhD THESIS announcement

“chip for the study of cell membrane processes”

The Center for Advanced Bioanalysis is looking for a PhD student in biophysics, biology or (bio)chemistry keenly interested in the development of a microfluidic chip for studying membrane signalling and trafficking events.

Your tasks will include:
1. the establishment of synthetic lipid bilayers and native cell membrane sheets on thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers,
2. the characterization of the membranes by electro-physiological and nanoscopic methods (fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy) and
3. the use of the developed platform in a proof-of-principle application.

The CBL is an excellently equipped research institute focusing on the development of advanced tools for cell biology. You will work in an interdisciplinary group of biologists, chemists and biophysicists.

Pls. send your application with graduation certificates, references and including a cover letter detailing your motivation for applying and availability to astrid.freymueller@cbl.at.

Center for Advanced Bioanalysis GmbH

Astrid Freymüller
Scharitzerstr. 6-8
A-4020 Linz
astrid.freymueller@cbl.at

Research Assistant,Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen

The Department of Internal Medicine offers within the research network FluResearchNet funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research a *PhD doctoral position *available until 30th September 2013 with a salary equivalent to TV-H E13 50%.
The research project ´Pathogenesis of influenza virus-induced acute lung injury – impact of viral and factors on alveolar barrier function´ aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms mediating lung injury during influenza virus pneumonia using animal infection models.

Applicants must hold a master/diploma in biosciences or o primary degree in human or veterinary medicine and should be experienced in state of art immunological, molecular/cellular biological and biochemical techniques. Experience with animal models, infection biology or experimental lung research is expected.
Participation in the Giessen Graduate School of Life Sciences within graduate study program “Infection and Immunology” is accesible.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact Susanne Herold MD PhD and to visit the website http://www.researchnet.de for further information

PhD in Virus induced immunity, virus immunology

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD Student, who is interested to work in the field of virus immunology and chronic virus infections. In particular, the innate and adaptive immune system will be analyzed by investigating virus infection in an in vivo and in vitro system. The aim is to understand development of chronic virus infections and develop therapeutic strategies with basic research techniques. The models will focus on murine viruses such as the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and the vesicular stomatitis virus. The experimental methods will include:

tissue culture, RT-PCR, PCR, virus handling and virus techniques, respectful experimental animal handling, flow cytometry.

Applications should be submitted electronically to:

philipp.lang@gmx.net

For detailled information please refer to:

Pellegrini M, Calzascia T, Toe JG, Preston SP, Lin AE, Elford AR, Shahinian A, Lang PA, Lang KS, Morre M, Assouline B, Lahl K, Sparwasser T, Tedder TF, Paik JH, DePinho RA, Basta S, Ohashi PS & Mak TW. IL-7 engages multiple mechanisms to overcome chronic viral infection and limit organ pathology. Cell 2011; 144:601-613

Lang PA, Recher M, Honke N, Scheu S, Borkens S, Gailus N, Krings C, Meryk A, Kulawik A, Cervantes-Barragan L, Van Rooijen N, Kalinke U, Ludewig B, Hengartner H, Harris N, Haussinger D, Ohashi PS, Zinkernagel RM & Lang KS. Tissue macrophages suppress viral replication and prevent severe immunopathology in an interferon-I-dependent manner in mice. Hepatology 2010; 52:25-32

Lang PA, Cervantes-Barragan L, Verschoor A, Navarini AA, Recher M, Pellegrini M, Flatz L, Bergthaler A, Honda K, Ludewig B, Ohashi PS & Lang KS. Hematopoietic cell-derived interferon controls viral replication and virus-induced disease. Blood 2009; 113:1045-1052

Lang PA, Contaldo C, Georgiev P, El-Badry AM, Recher M, Kurrer M, Cervantes-Barragan L, Ludewig B, Calzascia T, Bolinger B, Merkler D, Odermatt B, Bader M, Graf R, Clavien PA, Hegazy AN, Lohning M, Harris NL, Ohashi PS, Hengartner H, Zinkernagel RM & Lang KS. Aggravation of viral hepatitis by platelet-derived serotonin. Nat Med 2008; 14:756-761