OPEN POSITIONS

We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD student for a DFG-funded, 3-year PhD position to join our research group

 Sleep-dependent memory consolidation in birds.

 

This project integrates electrophysiological, behavioral, and computational approaches to investigate how neural population activity changes as a function of behavioral state in the songbird.

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The project will be carried out at the Chair of Zoology at the Technical University of Munich, located at the TUM Life Sciences Campus in Freising, Germany.

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Project Background

During vocal learning, a juvenile bird transitions from acoustically simple, highly variable “subsongs” to complex and stereotypical adult songs through a process of motor learning. Critically involved in this learning process is a set of interconnected brain areas that make up a basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit known as the Anterior Forebrain Pathway (AFP). Although these brain areas have been extensively characterized individually during singing, little is known about spontaneous neural dynamics across the intact circuit and during different behavioral states.

In this project, we will build from our preliminary work (Lorenz et al., 2025) to chronically implant multishank Neuropixels 2.0 probes in the brains of adult and juvenile male zebra finches.

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1. Lorenz C, Das A, Centeno EGZ, Yeganegi H, Duvoisin R, Ursu R, Retailleau A, Giret N, Leblois A, Hahnloser RHR, Ondracek JM. Sharp Waves, Bursts, and Coherence: Activity in a Songbird Vocal Circuit Is Influenced by Behavioral State. J Neurosci. 2025 Nov 19;45(47):e1903242025.

2. Yeganegi H, Ondracek JM. Local sleep in songbirds: different simultaneous sleep states across the avian pallium. J Sleep Res. 2025 Jun;34(3):e14344.

3. Yeganegi H, Ondracek JM. Multi-channel recordings reveal age-related differences in the sleep of juvenile and adult zebra finches. Sci Rep. 2023 May 27;13(1):8607.

4. Shein-Idelson M, Ondracek JM, Liaw HP, Reiter S, Laurent G. Slow waves, sharp waves, ripples, and REM in sleeping dragons. Science. 2016 Apr 29;352(6285):590-5.

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Required skills

• MSc or equivalent degree in neuroscience, electrical engineering, or biology with emphasis on systems or computational neuroscience

• Experience using electrophysiological and computational approaches

• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g. Python, MATLAB)

• Strong analytical and signal processing skills

• Highly motivated and able to work independently

• English language speaking and writing skills

 

Our Offer

The doctoral candidate will be employed by TUM (65 % TV-L E13) for a total duration of three years. Successful applicants will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) program at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and receive a structured doctoral training.

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The student will benefit from international research exchanges and collaborations with France and Switzerland, in addition to the networking opportunities available within the vibrant neuroscience community in Munich.

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Interested applicants should apply to the

***Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich***

Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2026

Please visit www.gsn.uni-muenchen.de for more information