Postdoctoral positions in Pain research / Neuroscience / Pharmacology

We are seeking candidates with enthusiasm and interest in behavioral, biochemical, cellular and molecular techniques. Our group is interested in translational research on mechanisms of inflammatory and neuropathic pain and their control by opioids and neuro-immune interactions (e.g. Nature Med 2003;8:1003-8; J Neurosci 2006;26:4350-8; J Clin Invest 2008;118:1065-73; PLoS Pathog 2009, e1000362; J Clin Invest 2009, 119:278-86; Pharmacol Rev 2011; 63:860-81).

We are funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG); the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) and the Helmholtz Virtual Institute for Biomaterials in Medicine and provide a stimulating environment through interactions with experimental and clinical groups at the Freie Universität Berlin, Charité, Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Zuse Institute for Applied Mathematics, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum, Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine.

The postdoctoral positions are part of a collaborative program project on the computational design of opioid drugs for inflammatory pain. Methods include in vivo pain testing in rodents with inflammatory pain, testing of central side effects (sedation, respiratory depression, place preference conditioning), tissue dissection, cell culture experiments, biochemical (Western blotting, enzyme assays, binding), molecular biology (PCR, in situ hybridization) and clinical measurement of pain in human patients. Establishment of new strategies and methods is encouraged.

We are looking for candidates with experience in behavioral, biochemical, molecular and/or immunological techniques. Demonstrated proficiency in English language, the ability to work both independently and as a team member, and the disposition to perform animal experiments is critical. Applications require a completed PhD or equivalent degree in biochemistry, pharmacology, biology, neuroscience or related fields. The positions are available for 3 years. Salary is according to E 13. We cannot reimburse travel expenses for applicants. Please send a CV and names of two references to:

Prof. Dr. Christoph Stein
Dr. Viola Spahn
Department of Anesthesiology
Charité - Campus Benjamin Franklin
Hindenburgdamm 30
D-12200 Berlin, Germany
viola.spahn@charite.de