Open Positions
Ph.D. Positions in Neuroscience
Understanding the Degeneration of the Locus Coeruleus and Hippocampus-Dependent Memory Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Models
Project description
The research group led by Xiaomin Zhang, an assistant professor funded by SNSF PRIMA, is seeking candidates for a Ph.D. position available from January 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The principal supervisor for this position will be Prof. Xiaomin Zhang (https://www.hifo.uzh.ch/en/research/zhang.html), and the formal supervisor will be Prof. Fritjof Helmchen ( https://www.hifo.uzh.ch/en/research/helmchen.html). The main objective of this project is to investigate how the locus coeruleus contributes to hippocampus-dependent memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease mouse models.
Job advertisement (PDF, 41 KB)
Contact
Prof. Xiaomin Zhang – E-Mail
Master’s Thesis or Semester Project in Memory Consolidation
Master’s Thesis Project
Determine how local hippocampal circuits generate distinct ripple subtypes
How the brain flexibly integrates newly acquired memories with pre-existing ones, while minimizing interference, remains a fundamental question in neuroscience. Sharp-wave ripples (SPW-Rs), among the most synchronous network oscillations in the mammalian brain, replay past experiences to support memory consolidation. Recent work suggests that SPW-Rs vary in their origins and mnemonic roles, a phenomenon known as ripple diversity. Some ripples preferentially replay recent experiences, while others primarily replay older, remote memories, raising the possibility that ripple diversity enables the parallel integration of memories across timescales. However, the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying ripple diversity within the hippocampus remain unknown. In this project, we aim to leverage open-source datasets to elucidate how hippocampal circuits contribute to the generation of distinct ripple subtypes.
Requirements
- Enrolled in a Master’s program in Neuroscience/Math/Physics or a related field
- Programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python is required
Contact
Prof. Xiaomin Zhang – E-Mail
Tae Ho Lim – E-Mail