PhD Position: Environmental Plasticity of hippocampal information processing

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint effort between the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientists to advance our understanding of health and disease and to develop pioneering therapies benefiting the lives of patients in areas of unmet need.
With more than 70 research groups and over 800 employees, the Department of Biomedicine is the largest department at the University of Basel. We are located in the heart of Basel at several research sites. Be part of our future!

The Bischofberger Lab investigates the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying learning, memory, and cognitive plasticity in the hippocampus.
Environmental enrichment and physical exercise induce complex interactions with environment and conspecifics and are promising interventions for memory deficits and dementia. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Most importantly, the effects of environmental complexity on hippocampal coding and synaptic excitation–inhibition balance are unknown.
In a new project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, we are using in-vivo calcium imaging in freely moving mice (miniscope imaging), together with optogenetics, chemogenetics, and in-vitro patch-clamp recordings to understand plasticity of cognition generated by environmental enrichment or, vice versa, by environmental deprivation. We focus on mechanisms underlying object discrimination, spatial navigation, social interactions, and social recognition memory.
Initially, the project focuses on mechanisms involving dendritic inhibition via somatostatin interneurons (Schulz et al. 2018, Nat Commun. 9:3576; Schulz et al. 2019, J Neurosci. 39:5210–5221; Verdiyan et al. 2026, bioRxiv 10.64898/2026.03.31.715605) and will continue investigating the role of various other interneuron subtypes.

Application

Please use the link below to apply and submit the following documents: I. curriculum vitae II. brief summary of past accomplishments (max 2 pages) III. contact details for 3 individuals who can provide recommendation letters upon request. 
The position is available immediately and will remain open until filled by suitable candidate.