PhD in Neuroscience

Start:Fall 2026 (flexible)/nLocation:Berlin, Germany/nDuration:3 years (extension possible)/nSalary:TV-L E13 (65%)/nThe newly establishing Emmy Noether junior research group of Yangfan Peng at the Institute of Cell and Neurobiology,Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is recruiting a PhD student to investigate principles of local synaptic connectivity in cortical microcircuits using high-throughput multi-neuron patch-clamp (“multipatch”) in mouse and human acute brain slices. The project will focus on mapping excitatory and inhibitory connectivity and higher-order network motifs to understand microcircuit organization and its cross-species generalizability. Seehttps://penglab.de/and relevant publications below for further information./nWe offer: A stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art methodsExtensive training and professional development opportunitiesOpportunities for international and interdisciplinary collaborationsA collaborative and supportive community with mentoring and supervisionAccess to human cortical brain tissue for slice experiments/nYour profile MSc. or equivalent in Neuroscience, Biology, or related fieldStrong motivation for cellular and synaptic neurophysiologyPractical lab experience in in vitro or in vivo electrophysiologyExperience with immunohistochemistry or transcriptomics desiredData analysis skills (Python and/or MATLAB) desired/nPlease send one PDF containing short motivation letter, CV, and contact information of 2 references [email protected]/nRelevant publications:Peng et al., 2019 eLife (https://elifesciences.org/articles/48178)Peng et al., 2024 Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg8828)Planert et al., 2025 Nature Neuroscience (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02134-7)