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.