Overview
Open PhD or PostDoc positions in Comparative Neuroscience at the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
* Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Auer
* Funding: SNF Starting Grant
* Expected Start Date: autumn/end of 2025
Research environment
Our lab and the Department of Biology offer a friendly and stimulating work environment, with excellent conditions in terms of infrastructure, know-how, and collaboration. Fribourg is a vibrant medieval university town with a large student population, situated close to the capital of Bern and the Swiss pre-Alps and Alps. More information: https://www.unifr.ch/studies/en/choosefribourg/life-in-fribourg.html
For more information on our research, see https://www.unifr.ch/bio/en/groups/auer/.
Training and development
Our PhD students will be part of the Fribourg Life Science Graduate School which provides training and development opportunities, and a network of graduate students in and around Fribourg. Our students and PostDocs also have access to training and career advice from the University of Fribourg and can participate in online and on-site courses from the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. Through the development of your project, you will be trained in state-of-the-art comparative genetic approaches, molecular biology techniques, neurophysiology, and behavioural studies. Our lab strives to foster effective communication and presentation skills and you will be encouraged to develop international collaborations and networking, including attendance at national and/or international meetings.
Project description
The focus for this position will be on chemosensory system evolution and taste processing. We want to understand how circuit architecture evolves and what are the functional consequences for circuit output. To this purpose, we use three closely related Drosophila species (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. sechellia) with diverse feeding habits to decipher what genetic and neural circuit changes drive species differences. You will compare homologous circuits across species and study their physiology, transcriptomes and role in behaviour. A main focus will be on developing/using advanced imaging approaches to quantify circuit physiology in the central brain. However, due to the cross-disciplinary nature of the research, there is a range of opportunities for contributing to the project depending on particular interests and strengths (i.e. comparative transcriptomics, neurobiology, generation of transgenic tools, in vivo volumetric imaging, bioinformatics). Throughout the project you will be encouraged to develop your own ideas and hypotheses.
Funding
The project is funded by a Swiss National Science Foundation Starting Grant. Initial appointment is for 1 year with the possibility of prolongations (at least 3 years).
Eligibility and applying
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a master /PhD degree in an area relevant to the project (e.g., evolutionary biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, neurobiology, bioinformatics). The most important qualification is motivation and enthusiasm for the project. Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Thomas Auer (E-Mail). Formal applications must be submitted through our online form for consideration, including a CV, cover letter and qualifications. Evaluation will be on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Our lab is committed to promoting diversity in science and we positively welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
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