Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

Application deadline: 31.07.2026

The Department of Neurobiology at University Hospital Würzburg seeks a highly motivated and talented candidate as soon as possible as 

• Attractive salary according to TV-L including annual special payment: We value your work and reward you with a fair and competitive salary.
• Company pension scheme: We support your financial security in retirement.
• Flexitime: Allows you to organize your working hours flexibly.
• Comprehensive company sports programs: Our own gym (Milon circuit training) helps you stay fit and healthy.
• Own company day-care center with extended opening hours (5:30 – 18:00): To help you better balance work and family.
• Extensive training and further education at our own academy: We promote your personal and professional development.
• A demanding, diverse and capable of development
• A good working atmosphere in a highly motivated and collegial team

Project Description

Freezing of gait (FoG) is a severely debilitating motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that currently lacks optimal treatment options. Anxiety has been associated with severity of FoG in PD, which is further affected by stress and emotional situations. In rodents, fear-induced freezing involves disinhibitory circuit mechanisms in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a midbrain structure where emotional and (pre-)motor circuits converge. As part of the Collaborative Research Centre TRR 295 ReTune, we investigate how the loss of monoaminergic neuromodulation during PD alters PAG activity, thereby contributing to locomotor dysfunction during fear and anxiety states.

Using a mouse model of synucleinopathy in combination with optogenetic, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques, we characterize the neuroarchitecture and function of brainstem circuits throughout the pathophysiology of PD to understand its effects on motor- and anxiety-related behavior. Ultimately, we aim at combining neuronal activity and kinematic parameters with behavioral and cardiac measurements to get an integrated understanding of the PD pathostate.

For this position, we are looking for a highly motivated, skilled and enthusiastic candidate, able to do research independently as well as a part of a team:

Mandatory:

• PhD in neuroscience and/or a track record in basic neuroscience research
• Prior experience in animal research (FELASA or equivalent) and experience in managing animals undergoing regulated procedures
• Established track record in peer-reviewed (neuroscience) journals
• Ability to interact with PhDs and master students and help with their day-to-day lab supervision
• Pro-active approach to research and to problem-solving
• Strong commitment, perseverance, and professional integrity
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in english

Plus:

• Experience with state-of-the-art neuroscience techniques in rodents (in vivo electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, behavior)
• German language skills
• Scripting/programming skills in MATLAB or Python

• Anspruchsvolles, vielfältiges und entwicklungsfähiges Aufgabengebiet
• Attraktive Bezahlung nach TV-L inkl. Jahressonderzahlung
• Aus- und Weiterbildung in der eigenen Akademie
• Betriebliche Altersvorsorge
• Betriebskindertagesstätte mit verlängerten Öffnungszeiten
• Betriebssportangebote
• Flexible Arbeitszeiten dank Gleitzeitregelung
• Jobrad
• Mitarbeiter Angebote