The department of Regeneration of Sensorimotor systems in the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam has an opening for an ambitious PhD candidate to join a research project entitled “The role of Semaphorin3A in Perineuronal Net mediated learning and memory”

Peri-neuronal nets are specialized extracellular matrix structures around subsets of neurons implicated in structural synaptic plasticity. In this project we test the hypothesis that the chemorepulsive axon guidance protein Semaphorin3A is a key regulator of PNN-mediated plasticity. Powerful molecular tools will be used to interfere with the function of Semaphorin3A to study the effect of interference at the synaptic as well as behavioral level. The knowledge we generate in this project may help to improve the brain's capacity to learn and to recover from injury.    

The position involves a fulltime temporary appointment for 4 years (PhD student).

PhD candidates will be expected to have completed a Neuroscience or Biomedical Master. Experience with molecular biology, viral vector technology, electrophysiology and mouse behavior would be considered important qualifications for this position.

The gross monthly salary coming with a full-time appointment will amount to a minimum of € 2.395,- in the first year to € 3.061,- in the fourth year (P scale of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). The initial appointment is for one year and, after a good evaluation, the appointment will be extended for the subsequent three years.

A 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus are excluded. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is an Academy research institute. It conducts basic and strategic research in the neurosciences. It examines how the human brain makes awareness, perception, movement, learning, social interaction and other cognitive functions possible. It also studies how brain disorders can disrupt these functions.

This project is a collaboration between the department of Regeneration of Sensorimotor systems (“Verhaagen-lab”) and the department of Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition (“de Zeeuw-lab”). The project is funded by an NWO-open competition grant.