PhD Student in Rodent Social Neuroscience
Start Date
01.08.2026 or by agreement
Employment Relationship
100%, Duration: 4 years
Institution / Workplace
Center for Experimental Neurology (ZEN), Department for Biomedical Research (DBMR) Bern
With us, you create value.
For yourself and for society.
For yourself and for society.
About us
Group members are embedded in an international, collaborative, and highly interdisciplinary environment at ZEN. The research group or Prof. Kassraian investigates, in rodents, the behavioral, neural, molecular, and circuit-level mechanisms of social cognition, with close links to clinical research.Tasks
The PhD student will work on an independent project to investigate the neural basis of social interactions associated with positive or negative experiences. Experimental methods include the manipulation and monitoring of neural circuits using in vivo calcium and neurotransmitter imaging, optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, combined with computational analysis of behavioral and neural data acquired in controlled and semi-naturalistic social environments.Requirements
- Master's degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Medicine or a related discipline
- Experience in rodent stereotaxic surgery and rodent behavioral assays and programming and data analysis skills are a plus
- Strong academic record and motivation for independent research in social neuroscience
- Interest in interdisciplinary and translational approaches
Your Benefits
- Work within an interdisciplinary, collaborative team of scientists. Salary according to the rules of the Swiss SNSF.
- Central location in the heart of Bern
- High degree of creative freedom in an academic setting
- International reputation
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.
Application and Contact
Please send your application as one PDF file including a short motivation letter and your C.V. to the following e-mail address: pegah.kassraian@unibe.ch. Candidates are expected to start in August 2026 or by mutual agreement. Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.