PhD position on Early Sexual Development of the Chicken Brain

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology offers several fully-funded PhD positions. The IMPRS is based in southern Germany and is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. Outstanding students of all nationalities with a deep commitment to basic research in Organismal Biology are invited to apply.
All students accepted to the program will be supported by stipends or contracts. The program offers a dedicated teaching program, high quality research experience, and outstanding research facilities in an inspiring research and living environment. The working language is English. Each PhD student receives individual supervision and mentoring and is guided in her/his research work by a PhD advisory committee.

Project abstract: Sexual dimorphic brain structures and related behaviours are common among vertebrates including birds. However, the early development of such brain structures is not well understood. Birds are advantageous for this study since they allow easy access to the developing embryo in the egg. In this PhD-project we shall analyze the developing chicken brain using transgenic chicken models. Thus, this project is mainly an anatomical and molecular study that uses state of the art microscopical techniques and state-of-art gene expression techniques.
Main advisor Manfred Gahr, MPIO Seewiesen

Applicants should hold a MSc or equivalent degree in biology or a related discipline at the point of enrollment.