PhD Position in Drosophila Neurogenetics - German (Scholarship)

This graduate student position offers full German health and social benefits and is not a scholarship position. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to set up a device to record the spontaneous flight behavior of wildtype, mutant and transgenic Drosophila fruit flies. The digitally recorded behavioral data will then be evaluated using mathematical algorithms (see http://www.plosone.org/doi/pone.0000443).

This project is the first systematic search for the neuronal structures mediating one of the most important brain functions, the generation of adaptive behavioral variability. This project is embedded in a team of researchers studying behavioral variability and feedback-based learning and memory in invertebrates (http://brembs.net). The successful candidate will have a master’s, diplom or equivalent degree, ideally with a specialization in genetics and/or neuroscience. Experience in Drosophila handling, breeding and behavior is helpful. Programming experience is an advantage, as is general computer proficiency. Applications including a CV, a letter of reference and a 500 word description of the applicant’s motivation, should be sent electronically to b.brembs@fu-berlin.de until september 15, 2009. Any inquiries should be addressed at Bjoern Brembs at b.brembs@fu-berlin.de.