Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Position (f/m/d)

Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university with a strong focus on research and an international standards. With around 30,000 students and 8,400 employees, including numerous top researchers, it is a globally respected institution that also has outstanding economic significance for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.

The Center for Organismal Studies Heidelberg (COS Heidelberg, https://www.cos.uni-heidelberg.de/) is a central scientific institution of Heidelberg University with 23 research groups representing the entire spectrum of life sciences in research and teaching. The Department “Evolutionary Neurobiology” offers from December 1st, 2024, the following 100% position limited to three years.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Position (f/m/d)

“Application of a high-throughput array tomography vEM pipeline to study the diversity of marine larvae and sensory cell types”. This Project is part of The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network: “ZooCELL: Tracing the evolution of sensory cell types in animal diversity: multidisciplinary training in 3D cellular reconstruction, multimodal data analysis and science outreach” https://zoocell.eu/. The salary is highly competitive and includes living, mobility and family allowances.

Your Tasks:

• The project will offer in-depth training in neurobiology of marine zooplankton, neuro-evo-devo and volume electron microscopy (vEM). One goal will be to obtain a high-quality full-body EM volume of a juvenile-stage Platynereis dumerilii and to analyse the volume in collaboration with other members of the group and other students of the ZooCell network.

• EM sample preparation, ultramicrotomy, serial EM imaging, image analysis.

• Extensive data analysis, including skeletonisation, working with AI-based segmentations, cell-type and connectome annotation, network analysis.

• Coordinating with other vEM and image-analysis projects in the network.

• Research visits to other laboratories of the ZooCell Network.

• Participating in regular ZooCell training events including courses and graduate schools.

• The project will inform the evolution of larval form and sensory cell types.

Your Profile:

• Masters degree in science, preferably in Biology/Neurobiology.

• Practical experience in molecular, cell or developmental biology, microscopy and/or image analysis, R/python coding will be an advantage.

• Strongly motivated students from other disciplines (e.g. physics, biophysics) are also encouraged to apply.

• Excellent communication and organisational skills, fluency in English (German language skills are not required)

• Mobility rule: Eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the indicated starting date.

We Offer:

• Work in an international research team at a vibrant research institute at one of the largest life-science campuses in Europe

• Participation in regular group and network activities including retreats to marine stations

• Opportunities for further professional development including courses and training events

• Support from the team and PI to achieve their potential and develop their career

The position is basically divisible. Non-tariff remuneration according to EU contract.

Please submit your application by October 31st, 2024, via e-mail in a single pdf file (including letter of motivation, CV, MSc&BSc diploma including Grade Transcripts and Contact details of two referees) to gaspar.jekely@cos.uni-heidelberg.de. In you motivation letter please explain in detail why you are interested in the project and what experience and skills would you bring to it should you be employed. Suitable candidates may be contacted before the deadline. Please check the mobility rule and only apply if you are eligible. Candidates without a clear motivation or fit may not receive a reply.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.