Welcome to

HAMBURG BRAIN SCHOOL

Our Mission

Excellent graduate training by leading experts in neuroscience

About us

Hamburg Brain School (HBS) is the graduate school of the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience (HCNS). We offer structured education and training for PhD students, medical doctoral students, as well as young postdocs in an international research environment. The training program ranges from molecular neuroscience to clinical disciplines.

Faculty

Our faculty comprises leading researchers from neuroscience, psychology, biology, neurology, psychiatry and computer science. Together, we provide a network of interacting labs and clinical groups distinguished by scientific excellence and outstanding achievements.

Events

In addition to the specific research and methods courses of the curriculum, HBS features lectures and seminars by invited speakers, workshops, international symposia, student retreats, as well as events for socializing and networking.

HCNS

The Hamburg Center of Neuroscience (HCNS) comprises more than 400 scientists of 27 institutes and clinical departments at the UKE, the University of Hamburg and the Helmut-Schmidt University.

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HBS students and postdocs come from diverse scientific, personal and cultural backgrounds to form a vibrant community with rich opportunities for interaction and networking.

Training Program

The HBS curriculum covers all areas of neuroscience and cognitive science, offering hands-on training in cutting-edge research approaches, education in innovative concepts, training in soft skills as well as mentoring and advising.

RESEARCH 

Molecules and cells

We investigate how cells of the nervous system function at the molecular level and how synapses change during plasticity and learning.

RESEARCH

Circuits and networks

We study the wiring, dynamics and function of local circuits as well as large-scale networks in the brain.

RESEARCH

Cognition and behavior

Our goal is to elucidate the neural basis of the cognitive capacities and behaviors generated by the nervous system.

RESEARCH

Brain disorders

Our research aims at understanding malfunctions of the nervous system and at improving diagnosis and therapy of brain disorders.

RESEARCH

Robotics and AI

We aim at understanding and simulating human cognition in artificial systems such as robots, autonomous systems and virtual agents.

Become a member of HBS

Interested in joining the HBS community? We welcome your application to our school!
Click the button below for submitting your information. 

Profile picture Marina Fiene
A valuable synergy of professional and personal development – that is what being part of the graduate school means to me. Individual coachings and topic-specific workshops afforded me the opportunity to build essential skills that are beneficial for my everyday work.
Marina Fiene, PhD student
Profile picture Kayson Fakhar
The graduate school provided everything I needed for my project. The collaboration with one of the largest hospitals in northern Germany comes with compelling opportunities, for example, I could work with unique datasets to apply basic science to clinical settings. Our community is diverse and we learn a lot about how other overlapping disciplines see the brain. This also comes with its own opportunities since we could initiate interdisciplinary collaborations and address a common issue from different angles.
Kayson Fakhar, PhD student
Profile picture Liesa Stange
The school not only offered me a wide range of courses and a flexible schedule, but also the chance to get in touch with other young scientists. That’s why it fits perfectly into the life of a busy PhD student.
Liesa Stange, PhD student
Profile picture Gina Monov

Being a member of the graduate school has been an important part of my scientific education, from which I will benefit throughout my entire life. This gave me unique opportunities to expand my knowledge through lectures by renowned researchers from all over the world, acquire specific scientific skills, and advance personally in individual coaching sessions. Interdisciplinary collaboration, the network of students and incredibly exciting science have been constant inspirations.

Gina Monov, medical doctoral student