In a multidisciplinary collaboration with the Institute for Chemical Immunology (Leiden University) the axonal signalling group at the NIN has an exciting opportunity for a PhD student position in neuron-microglia physiology.

Project description
Microglia are immune cells that form the first line of defence and involved in development and disease of the central nervous system. To obtain a deeper understanding how microglia impact neurons this project examines the fundamental interactions between pyramidal neurons and microglia, using electrophysiology and two-photon microscopy infrastructure. We will combine electrophysiology, the next generation photochemical ligands, and take advantage of novel transgenic mouse lines to determine the bidirectional functional interactions ex vivo, both at the single-cell and sub-cellular level in neocortical grey matter (see e.g. Battefeld et al, Nat Commun 7:11298, 2016 and Cohen et al., Cell 180:311–322.e315, 2020).

We expect from you
You are a highly motivated, self-driven candidate. You hold a MSc degree in the field of neurosciences, physiology or another relevant discipline (e.g. immunology) and a strong interest for neuron-glia interactions. Experience with cellular research and/or microscopy is a major advantage. You furthermore possess a demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English, possess excellent communication skills, creativity and flexibility. An ideal candidate is a team worker.

You should expect from us:

• Mentoring, supervision and training.
• Access to state-of-the art single-cell infrastructure.
• Stimulating international and multidisciplinary research environment.

Appointment
The position comes with an attractive package of fringe benefits and is for a period of 4 years in total. The first appointment is for 1 year with the option for an extension for the remaining period pending on an evaluation. 

Salary
The salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and institutional guidelines based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities; CAO NU). Full-time monthly salary for a PhD student is € 2.395 in the 1st year to € 3.061 in the 4th year before taxes. In addition, an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus are provided. We offer travel expenses, paid parental leave, flexible working hours, 30 days paid leave per year and assistance in finding an accommodation.

Starting date
The position is immediately available and the deadline for applications is 12 July 2021.

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.

The project is within the Axonal Signalling group of Prof. dr. Maarten H. P. Kole and based at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (www.nin.nl). The NIN is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. The institute provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the primary working language. The project is part of a multidisciplinary collaboration with the Institute for Chemical Immunology (ICI, https://chemicalimmunology.nl/) and the Amsterdam Neuroscience & MS Centre Amsterdam, Location VUmc, and funded by the Netherlands Research Organisation (NWO).