11 PostDoc positions for scientists and physicians in the Cluster of Excellence Oldenburg/Hannover "Hearing4all"

[Thorsten Schweizer <Schweizer.Thorsten@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The "Medizinische Hochschule Hannover" (MHH) offers the following positions within the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence Hannover/Oldenburg "Hearing for all: Models, technology and solutions for diagnostics, restoration and support of hearing":

PostDoc position for spectroscopy in the diagnostics of hearing disorders

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for spectroscopic diagnostics of hearing disorders. Applicants should have knowledge in the areas of hearing research and audiology, in particular in experimental hearing research. Experience with in-vivo research as well as optical methods in life sciences is advantageous. The willingness to learn various spectroscopic methods as well as optical imaging and the cooperation with colleagues at the Institute of Quantum Optics at the Leibniz University Hannover are expected. The position is open for PhDs in the area of physics, biology, medicine and engineering.

PostDoc position (physician) for invasive inner ear diagnostics

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a physician (with doctorate degree) for invasive inner ear diagnostics. The area of responsibility involves the design and development of new invasive diagnostic methods for the investigation of inner ear hearing disorders. Spectroscopic and biochemical methods as well as the stimulation of the inner ear using mechanical and electric actuators will be applied. The aim is the development of a so-called Inner Ear Probe. The work will be performed in cooperation with engineers and scientists within a special research group. Experience in the areas of medical research and knowledge of the auditory system, audiology and hearing research is desirable. The ability to conduct independent experimental research is a prerequisite. The work comprises experimentally and clinically based research. We offer the opportunity for training in otolaryngology and for gaining a postdoctoral lecture qualification (habilitation).

PostDoc position for neurophysiological hearing research

The Department of Neurology in collaboration with the German Hearing Centre and the Institute of AudioNeurotechnology is seeking a PostDoc for neurophysiological hearing research. Applicants should have knowledge of state-of-the-art multi-channel EEG diagnostics with event-related potentials. Experience in hearing research and the investigation of higher cerebral functions is advantageous. The willingness to learn new imaging methods, for example near-infrared-spectroscopy is expected. The position is open for PhDs in the areas of psychology, biology, medicine and other sciences.

PostDoc position in hearing research using functional imaging

The Department of Otolaryngology in collaboration with the Institute of AudioNeurotechnology and the Department of Neurology is seeking a PostDoc working in hearing research using functional imaging. Applicants will focus on functional imaging using near-infrared-spectroscopy in the area of the auditory system. The aim is the validation of this method in comparison to other methods such as fMRI, EEG and event-related potentials. These measurements will be applied to patients (children and adults) with various forms of hearing disabilities and patients with auditory implants. Experience in hearing research as well as functional imaging is advantageous. Familiarisation with competing methods is expected. The position is open for PhDs in the areas of physics, engineering, medicine and psychology.

PostDoc position for local drug delivery of the inner ear

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for drug delivery in the inner ear. The aim of the project is the development of new pharmacological therapies of the inner ear in connection with auditory implants. For this purpose, various techniques (cell-based delivery, coating strategies, neuroprotection, immune modulation) will be applied. Experience in hearing research and in-vivo research is expected. Knowledge of pharmacology, cell-biology and biochemistry is desirable. The position is open for PhDs in the areas of pharmacy, pharmaceutical technology, biochemistry and chemistry.

PostDoc position for mechanical actuators for the stimulation of the inner ear

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for mechanical actuators for inner ear stimulation. The work involves the anatomically correct design of mechanical actuators for direct stimulation of the inner ear, functional characterization of these devices using laboratory tests, temporal bone experiments, inner ear models as well as in-vivo experiments (in collaboration with other members of the research group). Experience with mechanical actuators, knowledge of hearing research (histology of temporal bones, micro-CT scanner, medical image processing), stereo-optical navigation and force measurements is desirable. The position is open for engineers (PhD) in the areas of mechatronics, software engineering and mechanical engineering.

PostDoc position (physician) for electrode development for the auditory system

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a physician (with doctorate degree) for the development of electrodes for the auditory system. The work involves the conceptual design, development and testing of innovative electrode systems for the stimulation of the peripheral and central auditory system. The work also involves experiments on animal models, on anatomic specimens and in-vivo and clinical experiments. The connection of experimental and clinical work is of particular relevance. We offer the opportunity for training in otolaryngology and for gaining a postdoctoral lecture qualification (habilitation). Experience in experimental research and knowledge of the auditory system as well as the methods of hearing research are desirable. The ability to perform independent experimental research is a prerequisite.

PostDoc position for opto-acoustic stimulation of the auditory system

The Institute of AudioNeurotechnology of the Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for opto-acoustic stimulation of the auditory system. The project involves in-vivo experiments on the optical stimulation of the peripheral and central auditory system. Electro-physiological and histological methods related to the auditory system will be applied. Extended knowledge of electrophysiology, hearing research and audiology are desirable. The position is open for PhDs in the areas of biology, physics and (veterinary) medicine.

PostDoc position (physician) for opto-acoustic stimulation of the auditory system

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a physician (with doctorate degree) for the opto-acoustic stimulation of the auditory system. The work involves the optical stimulation of the peripheral and central auditory system as well as electrical stimulation. In addition to morphological investigations, the focus will be on electrophysiological experiments using suitable animal models as well as human subjects (EEG, etc.). 

PostDoc position for speech processing algorithms for hearing devices

The German Hearing Centre at the Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for speech processing algorithms for hearing devices. Applicants must have completed a first degree in computer science, physics, mathematics or related scientific subjects. Extensive knowledge in the areas of acoustic signal processing, research on hearing devices and audiology are expected. A PhD in a related subject or equivalent proof of the ability to conduct independent scientific work is a prerequisite. Experience in suitable programming environments such as MatLab is mandatory. Applicants will develop, implement and evaluate signal processing algorithms for hearing devices with emphasis on cochlear implants. One focus will be the combination of electrical and acoustical stimulation (so-called electro-acoustic stimulation) as well as purely electrical stimulation of the human auditory system. We are pursuing the development of physiological stimulation strategies for the human auditory system with the goal of obtaining a hearing impression as near-natural as possible.

PostDoc position for the modelling of individual hearing ability

The German Hearing Centre at the Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a PostDoc for the modelling of individual hearing ability. Applicants must have completed a first degree in computer science, physics, mathematics or related scientific subjects. The aim of the project is the development of predictive models for successful outcome using different hearing systems and individualised patient-specific adaption of signal processing algorithms developed within the Cluster of Excellence. Extensive knowledge in the areas of audiology and acoustic signal processing is advantageous. A PhD in a related subject or equivalent proof of the ability for independent scientific work is a prerequisite. Experience in suitable programming environments such as MatLab is mandatory. 


The PostDoc positions are embedded in the existing research structure of the cluster (Institute of AudioNeurotechology, the German Hearing Centre and further cooperation partners for implant development at the Leibniz University of Hannover). Social competence and the willingness to collaborate with other groups of the Cluster of Excellence are necessary.

The positions include an initial appointment of two years which can be extended for up to three more years after positive evaluation. All positions are full-time positions with flexible working hours. The salary is dependent on personal qualification according to the German salary scales TV-L and TV-Ä, respectively.

The MHH is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from women. Disabled applicants will be given preference if equally qualified. 

Printed or electronic (preferred) applications including a CV, relevant certificates and a list of publications should be sent to the following address by 1 November 2012:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Lenarz, Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, 
Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany, Email: lenarz.thomas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx