About us

The doctoral program "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience" is a member of the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB). It is hosted by the University of Göttingen, the Max Planck Institute for Self-Organization and Dynamics, and the German Primate Center.

The research-oriented program is taught in English and open to students who hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in the biosciences, chemistry, physics, or related fields.

Processing of sensory information and subsequent motor responses form the basis of our interaction with the outside world. Sensory and motor deficits are common and of immense sociocultural relevance. Exploring the principles of peripheral and central sensory processing, motor programming and response requires a combination of anatomical, physiological and computational skills. Moreover, a general understanding of sensory coding and its conversion into cognitive processes and motor action relies on integrating specialized sensory curriculum with a broad neuroscience training.

The program provides a specialized but interdisciplinary training to promote a new generation of scientists with a comprehensive knowledge and state-of-the-art practical and theoretical skills in sensory and motor research. In particular, it addresses students with a special interest in understanding cellular mechanisms of sensory processing, sensorimotor transformation and goal-directed behavior.