Open Positions
The DFG Research Training Group 2610 welcomes applications for
14 PhD student positions (m/f/d)
In the Research Training Group “Innovative Retinal Interfaces for Optimized Artificial Vision - InnoRetVision” new concepts, technical approaches and system solutions for neurological implants for the visual system, especially the retina, are investigated and implemented.
The DFG Research Training Group RTG 2610 provides graduates of Electrical Engineering, Microsystem Technology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Cell & Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, and Medicine, as well as comparable subjects, preferably with a focus on sensory physiology, neurobiology, gene transfer, tissue/cell stimulation, tissue-/cell analysis, circuit design, electrodes, microsystem technology, neuroinformatics, photonics, optoelectronics, or similar topics an ideal environment to combine their research works leading to a PhD thesis or a MD thesis with intensive interdisciplinary training. Candidates should have very good to excellent grades. Applicants for doctoral positions must meet the requirements for admission to doctoral studies at the respective faculties of RWTH Aachen University and the University of Duisburg-Essen. In particular, a master degree is mandatory and must have been obtained by the start of the program on April 1st 2024 at latest.
The research and training facilities are located at RWTH Aachen University, at the Forschungszentrum Jülich, and at the University of Duisburg-Essen. All three institutions develop sustainable solutions for the grand technical and scientific challenges with special emphasis on neuroscience, bioelectronics, and electric engineering.
The individual research and doctoral projects are focussed on one of the following six main topics:
A: 3D Electrode integration on flexible substrates: Nanoneedles, 2D materials, HD multielectrode arrays
B: Solutions for target- and context-specific retinal stimulation: Image analysis, artificial intelligence and retinal physiology
C: Implant-based local gene therapy and neuromodulation: Devices and effects
D: Integration of optoelectronics for high–resolution, direct optical stimulation
E: The role of the brain in visual deprivation, blindness and artificial vision
F: Surgical procedures for the implantation of new retinal implant devices
An integral part of the Research Training Group is an intensive interdisciplinary training program with the aim of making significant contributions in an innovative and rapidly developing field of the future.
Notes on the application
The doctoral positions are generally funded for a period of 3 years (MD thesis projects for one year). The communication in the DFG Research Training Group takes place in English. Accordingly, good English language skills are required.
Please send your application with the following documents via e-mail to the Speaker of the RTG, Professor Dr. Peter Walter (pwalterukaachende). Please indicate your potential working field A-F in your application.
- Cover letter including your motivation to join InnoRetVision
- Scientific curriculum vitae with information on participation in relevant research projects as well as scholarships, awards, and prizes.
- List of publications if applicable (own works in print or in preparation must be marked and attached as such).
- Scientific degree (bachelor / master / master's thesis as separate pdf / list of grades if the certificate is not yet available)
- Certificates, reference letters, and other evidence
The deadline for applications is November 10th, 2023. The selection interviews will take place on November 16th and 17th, 2023 followed by an in-depth colloquium on December 7th, 2023. Your research and training program will start on 1.4.2024
Das DFG-Graduiertenkolleg 2610 sucht zum 1.4.2024
14 Doktoranden (m/w/d)
Im Graduiertenkolleg "Innovative retinale Schnittstellen für optimiertes künstliches Sehen - InnoRetVision" werden neue Konzepte, technische Ansätze und Systemlösungen für funktionelle Schnittstellenstrukturen zwischen technisch-neurologischen Implantaten und dem visuellen System, insbesondere der Netzhaut, untersucht und umgesetzt.
Das DFG-Graduiertenkolleg GRK 2610 bietet Absolventinnen und Absolventen der Elektrotechnik, Informatik, Biomedizinischen Technik, Zell- & Molekularbiologie, Neurobiologie und Medizin sowie vergleichbarer Fächer, vorzugsweise mit den Schwerpunkten Sinnesphysiologie, Neurobiologie, Gentransfer, Gewebe-Zell-Stimulation, Gewebe-/Zellanalyse, Elektroden, Mikrosystemtechnik, Neuroinformatik, Photonik, Optoelektronik oder ähnlichen Themen, ideale Möglichkeiten, ihre Forschungsarbeiten in Richtung einer Promotion mit intensiver interdisziplinärer Ausbildung zu kombinieren. Die Kandidaten sollten sehr gute bis exzellente Noten haben. Bewerberinnen und Bewerber für Promotionsstellen müssen die Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zur Promotion an den jeweiligen Fakultäten der RWTH Aachen und der Universität Duisburg-Essen erfüllen. Ein Abschluss als Master ist Voraussetzung und muss spätestens bei Start des Programms am 1.4.2024 vorliegen. Die Forschungs- und Ausbildungseinrichtungen befinden sich an der RWTH Aachen, am Forschungszentrum Jülich und an der Universität Duisburg-Essen. Alle drei Institutionen entwickeln nachhaltige Lösungen für die großen technischen und naturwissenschaftlichen Herausforderungen mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf Neurowissenschaften, Bioelektronik und Elektrotechnik.
Die einzelnen Forschungs- und Promotionsprojekte sind einem der folgenden sechs Themenschwerpunkte zugeordnet:
A: 3D-Elektrodenintegration auf flexiblen Substraten: Nanonadeln, 2D-Materialien und hochauflösende Multielektroden-Arrays
B: Lösungen für die zell- und kontextspezifische Stimulation: Bildanalyse, Künstliche Intelligenz und Netzhautphysiologie
C: Implantat-basierte, lokale Gentherapie und Neuromodulation: Geräte und Effekte
D: Integration von Optoelektronik für hochauflösende direkte optische Stimulation
E: Die Rolle des Gehirns bei Sehbehinderung, Blindheit und künstlichem Sehen
F: Chirurgische Verfahren zur Implantation neuer Netzhautimplantate
Integraler Bestandteil des Graduiertenkollegs ist ein intensives interdisziplinäres Ausbildungsprogramm mit dem Ziel, wesentliche Beiträge in einem innovativen und sich schnell entwickelnden Zukunftsfeld zu leisten.
Hinweise zur Bewerbung
Die Doktorandenstellen werden in der Regel für einen Zeitraum von 3 Jahren gefördert (medizinische Doktoranden für ein Jahr). Die Kommunikation im DFG-Graduiertenkolleg findet in englischer Sprache statt. Dementsprechend werden gute Englischkenntnisse vorausgesetzt. Bitte senden Sie Ihre Bewerbung mit folgenden Unterlagen per E-Mail an den Sprecher des Graduiertenkollegs, Professor Dr. Peter Walter (pwalterukaachende). Bitte teilen Sie uns auch mit, in welchem der sechs Felder A-F Sie Ihre Arbeit sehen würden.
- Anschreiben mit Ihrer Motivation für InnoRetVision
- Wissenschaftlicher Lebenslauf mit Angaben zur Teilnahme an relevanten Forschungsprojekten
- Stipendien, Auszeichnungen und Preisen
- Publikationsliste, wenn vorhanden (eigene Werke im Druck oder in Vorbereitung sind als solche zu kennzeichnen und beizufügen)
- Wissenschaftlicher Abschluss (Bachelor / Master / Masterarbeit als separates pdf, wenn bereits vorhanden, ansonsten Zeugnisse und Ergebnisse der Masterkurse)
- Zeugnisse
- Referenzschreiben und andere Nachweise
Bewerbungsschluss ist der 10.11.2023. Die Auswahlgespräche finden am 16. und 17.11.2023 statt. Ein Auswahlkolloquium findet am 7.12.2023 statt. Ihr Forschungs- und Ausbildungsprogramm startet am 1.4.2024.
PhD student positions - neuroscience, neurobiology, life science, artificial vision (m/f/d)
In the Research Training Group 2610 “Innovative Retinal Interfaces for Optimized Artificial Vision - InnoRetVision”, new concepts, technical approaches and system solutions for neurological implants for the visual system, especially the retina, are investigated and implemented.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.ukaachen.de/kliniken-institute/innoretvision/about-rtg2610/general-information/
InnoRetvision is a joint venture of the research and training facilities RWTH Aachen University, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. InnoRetVision provides intensive interdisciplinary training in the fields of Electrical Engineering, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Sensory Physiology, and Medicine together with an ideal environment for research work leading to a PhD thesis.
PhD student positions - neuroscience, neurobiology, life science, artificial vision (m/f/d)
Activities and responsibilities
For the application process offering a total of 14 PhD student positions, topics in InnoRetVision were grouped into fields A - F.
Specifically, in biology/life Science, for the research and training facilities at RWTH Aachen University and the Forschungszentrum Jülich, several positions are open in the fields of
B: Solutions for target- and context-specific retinal stimulation: Image analysis, artificial intelligence and retinal physiology
C: Implant-based local gene therapy and neuromodulation: Devices and effects
E: The role of the brain in visual deprivation, blindness and artificial vision
Qualification profile
These positions are particularly well suited (but not restricted to) candidates with a background in biology or neurosciences.
Applicants for the above-mentioned doctoral positions must meet the requirements for admission to doctoral studies at the faculty of RWTH Aachen University.
In particular, a master degree is mandatory and must have been obtained by the start of the program on April 1st, 2024 at latest.
Candidates should have very good to excellent grades.
We offer
An integral part of the Research Training Group is an intensive interdisciplinary training program with the aim of making significant contributions in an innovative and rapidly developing field of the future.
The doctoral positions are generally funded for a period of 3 years. The communication language in the RTG is English. Accordingly, good English language skills are required. Salary is equivalent to 65% EG 13 TV-L.
Please send your application with the following documents via e-mail to the Speaker of the RTG, Professor Dr. Peter Walter (pwalterukaachende).
Important: Please indicate in which of the fields B, C or E indicated above you would like to work.
- Cover letter including your motivation to join InnoRetVision and indication in which of the fields B, C or E indicated above you would like to work
- Scientific curriculum vitae with information on participation in relevant research projects as well as scholarships, awards, and prizes.
- List of publications if applicable (own works in print or in preparation must be marked and attached as such).
- Scientific degree (bachelor / master / master's thesis as separate pdf / list of grades if the certificate is not yet available). If you do not yet obtain a masters degree, indicate when you will receive your degree.
- Certificates, reference letters, and other evidence
The deadline for applications is November 10th, 2023 but we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible.
The selection interviews will take place on November 16th and 17th, 2023 followed by an in-depth colloquium on December 7th, 2023.
The research and training program will start on 1.4.2024.
Color Blindness in Mice
PhD Project
In the RTG2610 Innoretvision
How can vision be restored in blind people? Developing novel retina implants is the focus of the PhD Graduate School RTG2610 Innoretvision. Engineers, medical students and PhD students in natural sciences from the RWTH Aachen University, The Helmholtz Forschungszentrum Jülich and the University Duisburg work together to find new solutions for better interfaces stimulating the retina to restore visual input in patients and animal models.
The Systems Neurophysiology Lab at the RWTH Aachen University focuses on the processing of visual information in the cortex of mice during navigation in virtual reality. Applying state-of-the-art multiphoton imaging techniques, we manipulate cortical neurons and measure their responses to visual input. Using different mouse models we investigate how the visual cortex responds to novel introduced visual input like additional color sensitive photoreceptors in the retina. This study will explain how the brain can deal with novel visual inputs like retina implant stimulation and how these inputs can be transformed in useful information for visual perception.
We are currently looking for motivated PhD students to participate in this study. Experience in electrophysiology and imaging in vivo as well as computer programming skills (i.e. Matlab, Labview, Python) are welcome. Intense training in neuroscience and technical expertise will be provided and an active participation in the research group is expected. The Systems Neurophysiology Lab is situated in the Neurobiology and Biomedical Sciences Institute of the RWTH Aachen University and jointly connected with the University Hospital and the Helmholtz Forschungszentrum Jülich. The RWTH Aachen is one of Germany’s Excellence Universities and offers an ideal environment for education and scientific exchange and education. And the unique location at the border triangle of Belgium, Holland and Germany makes Aachen a vibrant city with high quality of life.
Applications should include a motivation letter, CV, the academic achievements and 2 letters of recommendation.
Please contact Prof. Björn Kampa (kampabrain.rwth-aachende).
