The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) unites the Medical Faculty of the Georg-August University and the University Hospital in an integration model. With around 9,700 employees, the UMG and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in the region. Our clinics and institutes stand for high-quality patient care, excellent research, modern teaching and transfer of innovative technology.

Göttingen as a city of science is located in the center of Germany and the University Medical Center Göttingen is integrated into an attractive network of university and non-university scientific institutions.

The Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie of the University Medical Center Göttingen is looking for a new position to 01.07.2026

PhD (f/m/d)

part time, with 25,025 hours per week, limited until 30.06.2029

PhD Position (65%): Molecular/Computational Mechanisms of Synaptic Regulation
The Institute for Neuro and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Göttingen, Germany offers a position as PhD Student (f/m/d).
The successful candidate will join the lab of Dr. Eugenio F. Fornasiero working on the molecular mechanisms regulating the stability of synaptic components.

Your tasks

Background and Project Description:
Synapses are essential cellular structures where tightly regulated local protein synthesis and turnover underpin neuronal communication and plasticity. The spatial and temporal control of mRNAs and their binding proteins at synapses is critical for maintaining synaptic vesicle cluster stability and neuronal function. Despite advances in understanding synapse structure, the molecular mechanisms governing synaptic protein turnover and RNA localization during activity remain largely unknown.
This PhD project aims to unravel how mRNA-binding proteins orchestrate synaptic protein turnover, RNA localization, and synaptic vesicle cluster stability at the cellular and molecular level. You will apply cutting-edge molecular neuroscience techniques, including spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging, to generate comprehensive datasets of synaptic compartments.
Integrating these datasets, you will develop and apply quantitative computational models and network analysis to identify regulatory pathways controlling synaptic function. Your computational predictions will guide targeted functional experiments providing mechanistic insights into the molecular regulation of synaptic stability.

Your qualifications

Requirements:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Life Sciences with a strong academic record
Strong interest in cellular and molecular neuroscience
Data analysis and programming skills are required and will be actively used and developed in this project
Basic experience in wet lab work is necessary
High level of motivation, initiative, and a strong research orientation
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Fluent written and spoken English

Application documents:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivation letter explaining your interest and suitability for the project
University transcripts

We offer

A 65% PhD position with payment and benefits according to the German Public Service Payscale (TV-L)
Structured doctoral training through the Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GAUSS / GGNB)
Work in a highly international and interdisciplinary team
Access to a well-equipped laboratory, including a state-of-the-art imaging facility
Opportunities for national and international collaborations
Organized networking events and personalized supervision

Our goal as University Medical Center Göttingen is professional equality for all genders. We strive to equalize the gender ratio in areas where there is underrepresentation. The University Medical Center Göttingen is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled people and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal suitability, applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the relevant regulations. We kindly ask you to indicate a disability/equal status in your letter of application in order to safeguard your interests.

We look forward to receiving your application!