The Visual Neuroscience group at the University of Oldenburg, Germany is offering a PhD position (TV-L E13 50%) in population coding of retinal ganglion cells starting in May 2015. The position is initially funded until March 31 2018. The goal of our research is to understand how visual signals are transmitted from the retina to the brain. We study how populations of neurons encode information using large-scale multi-electrode arrays, which are able to record the responses of around a thousand neurons of various cell-types simultaneously for several hours. The visual stimulus is transduced into electrical signals by the photoreceptors of the retina, processed by many types of interneurons, and conveyed to the brain by the ganglion cells along their axons that form the optic nerve. All visual information is encoded in temporal patterns of electrical impulses of the ganglion cells. We know from morphological studies that over 20 types of ganglion cells exist. Each type carries a specialized and distinct representation of the visual environment to different targets in the brain. We do not know the response properties of many types, especially in natural viewing conditions, nor do we fully understand how the diverse information sent by the different cell types collectively determines visual perception and behavior. For more information please visit www.uni-oldenburg.de/retina. We seek a highly motivated PhD student with an academic university degree (Master or Diploma) in Biology, Physics, Informatics or related fields. Applicants should have strong computing skills, experience or training in neuroscience and interest in vision research. Electrophysiological experience is an advantage. The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increasing the percentage of women in science. Therefore, equally qualified female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be preferentially considered in case of equal qualification. Please submit your application (in English or German) including a motivation letter with a description of your scientific interest, a CV, degree certificates, and contact information of two references to Prof. Dr. Martin Greschner (martin.greschner@uni-oldenburg.de) preferably by email, as a single pdf-file or by mail to the Universität Oldenburg, Fakultät VI, Visual Neuroscience, 26111 Oldenburg. Applications will be considered until April 20th.