PhD Position in Neuroscience – Cluster of Excellence "Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease"
The Austrian Cluster of Excellence (CoE)
Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease
invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position, supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), in the laboratory of
Prof. Galina Apostolova
at the Medical University of Innsbruck.
Research Focus
The CoE unites leading Austrian neuroscientists to study the development and function of
inhibitory neurons
and their involvement in brain disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. Bringing together over thirty research teams, it offers a uniquely
collaborative environment
that integrates basic and clinical neuroscience. Within this framework,
the Apostolova lab
applies a broad spectrum of functional genomics assays, and both mouse and human models to explore the complex cell-type-specific transcriptional mechanisms underlying experience-dependent inhibitory plasticity, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research.
Excellent Brains PhD Training Program
The successful candidate will join the
Excellent Brains PhD Program
, spanning the CoE partner institutes (Medical University of Vienna, Medical University of Innsbruck, University of Vienna, ISTA, IMBA). Training includes joint seminars, workshops, journal clubs, and courses with a focus on GABAergic biology; up to three research rotations across CoE labs; supervision by two internationally recognized PIs and mentoring support.
Required Qualifications
•Master's degree in Neuroscience, Cell/Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Medicine, or a related discipline.
•Research experience in one or more of the following areas: animal models, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, stereotaxic injections, single cell dissociations and FACS, cell culture.
•Strong motivation, conceptual thinking, reliability, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
•Good written and spoken English.
What We Offer
•Fully funded PhD position for 4 years.
•Access to cutting-edge technologies (functional genomic assays, single-cell RNA sequencing and data processing, bioinformatics analyses).
•Integration into a dynamic, interdisciplinary research community.
•Collaborations with world-class scientists of the CoE.
•Professional training and career development support.
•Relocation assistance to Austria.
How to Apply
Please send your application (CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, and contact details of two referees ( one must be your Master's thesis supervisor) to:
galina.-
Application Deadline: 26 October 2025
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 10 days after the application deadline.
Employment Start Date:
1 December 2025