Twelve PhD (ESR) and three Post-doc (ER) positions are available in the European Marie Curie initial training network (ITN) ‘NPlast’

NPlast is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network funded by the 7th EU Framework Program. The consortium consists of seven research groups and four partners from industry in six European countries (Coordinator: Michael R. Kreutz, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany). The network will provide PhD training for twelve ESRs and postdoctoral training for three ERs in projects that are aimed to elucidate mechanisms of neuronal plasticity relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders including neurodegeneration and dementia. The research projects and the training program provided by the consortium cover a broad spectrum of disorders and interventions ranging from synaptopathies and trafficking deficiencies to Alzheimer’s disease, and from altering degenerative gene expression programs to manipulations of the extracellular matrix to preserve or restore synaptic function. The NPlast ITN offers an excellent predoctoral and postdoctoral training environment. NPlast has implemented state of the art methodologies ranging from live-cell imaging, next generation sequencing, quantitative synaptic proteome profiling, optogenetics, computer simulation and neuroinformatics to train PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in key technologies to study neuronal plasticity in health and disease. For more information about single projects see table below and description of labs and project unter the 'consortium' item.

The ESRs will be hired for 36 months starting from the 1st of April, ERs for 24 months starting from the 1st of October. Salary will be according to EU regulations (Marie Curie ITN Early Stage Researcher / Experienced Researchers).

Eligibility criteria: ESR applicants should not have obtained a PhD and should have less than 4 years of research experience. ER applicants should be in the first 5 years of their research careers and already in possession of a doctoral degree. For all applicants the EU rules of mobility will apply. Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main research activity in the country of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

The NPlast ITN seeks to increase the number of female personnel in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The NPlast ITN is committed to employing disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

Applicants should submit via Email: (i) a detailed cover letter outlining their previous research experience and future interests, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) scanned copies of degree certificates, and (iv) the names and Email addresses of two references. The letter should be sent by Email to the chosen primary supervisor AND to the Project Manager of the NPlast network (Christina Spilker, PhD, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

For more information about single projects see description of labs and project unter the 'consortium' item.