PhD position: Photoreceptor function in health and retinal disease

A fully funded Ph.D. position is available in the Adaptive Optics Imaging and Visual Psychophysics Lab at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Germany, to study retinal function with adaptive optics microstimulation.  For more information about our lab, please visit: http://ao.ukbonn.de/

Activities and responsibilities

As part of a DFG-funded nationwide Priority Program (DFG SPP2127 – “Gene and cell-based therapies to counteract neuroretinal degeneration”), the aim of this project is to employ recently developed adaptive optics imaging and stimulation technology to visualize and test single photoreceptors in human subjects. Cell-targeted psychophysics may act as sensitive biomarker of retinal integrity that can be used to better understand retinal disease mechanisms and to track and predict relevant cellular changes during disease progression and its intervention. Scientific questions to be addressed fall in the intersection of fundamental retinal research, visual perception and clinical application.

Qualification profile

Candidates are expected to hold a Master or comparable degree in optical engineering, physics, computer science, biology, neuroscience, or related field. The ideal candidate will be ambitious and highly motivated, with enthusiasm for working in vision science. Prior research experience with high-resolution retinal imaging, visual psychophysics, or clinically oriented imaging is desirable but not required.

Benefits

The position is open immediately and the contract period is 3 years. Salary will be aligned with the German salary scale TV-L E13 at 65%.

Send application to

Dr. Wolf Harmening
wolf.harmening@ukbonn.de

Adaptive Optics and Vision Laboratory
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Bonn
Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2
53127 Bonn, Germany

Tel: +49-(0)228-287-15882
ao.ukbonn.de