The Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB) is a Cluster of Excellence 171 - DFG Research Center 103 which unites research groups located in Göttingen to address fundamental questions in neuroscience. The independent research group "High-resolution microscopy" is seeking a

PhD student


Our offer
We are a small team of physicists, biologists and medical doctors interested in exploring the basic working principles of the brain. We use STED microscopy, a novel light microscopy technique with unprecedented optical resolution to record fluorescence images in the living tissue or living mouse.

The goal is to use STED microscopy to image fluorescent labeled protein structures in the living anesthetized mouse. Unraveling synaptic proteins "at work" will help to understand the basic working principle of the brain and/or many neurological disorders. Applicants can choose if the project will focus on the technological advances in microscopy or on solving open questions in neuroscience.


Your profile
* Degree in physics, chemistry or biology (Master or Diploma)
* Experience in optics or neuroscience is of advantage but not required
* Motivation to work in a multi-disciplinary research environment

We look forward to receiving your application by 30.04.2014. Application should contain a short letter of motivation, Curriculum vitae, degree certificates and a list of publications (if applicable).
It should be sent preferably via E-Mail :
Dr. Katrin Willig, CNMPB, group "High-resolution microscopy", c/o MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, D-37099 Göttingen, E-Mail kwillig@gwdg.de

Anfangsdatum: 8. April 2014

Termin: 3 years

BERNING, S., WILLIG, K. I., STEFFENS, H., DIBAJ, P. & HELL, S. W. (2012). Nanoscopy in a living mouse brain. Science 335, 551, doi:10.1126/science.1215369.

WILLIG, KATRIN I., STEFFENS, H., GREGOR, C., HERHOLT, A., ROSSNER, MORITZ J. & HELL, STEFAN W. (2014). Nanoscopy of filamentous actin in cortical dendrites of a living mouse. Biophysical Journal 106, L01-L03, doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2013.11.