Postdoc(s) (m/f/d) | Mechanics of tissue organogenesis and repair

Job Code: 2024-Postdoc-TissueMechanics-1110

Job Offer from June 27, 2024

The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, Germany, is an international research institute focused on cell and developmental biology. Currently about 500 employees from over 50 countries work at the institute in a highly collaborative and curiosity-driven environment. Our research programs are interdisciplinary and span multiple scales of magnitude, from molecular assemblies to organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. MPI-CBG has twice been awarded the title “Best Place to Work” (Academia and postdocs) by the journal “The Scientist”. Our institute is well known for its flat organizational structure, collegiality, shared resources, equal opportunities, and support for families.

The group of Prof. Dr. Meritxell Huch is looking for Postdoc(s) (m/f/d) in the mechanics of tissue organogenesis and repair.

Prof. Dr. Meritxell Huch's research group is at the forefront of mechanistic research into principles governing the proliferation and differentiation of adult organs and tissues. Utilizing innovative mouse and human organoids and animal models, our ultimate goal is to elucidate the mechanisms of tissue organogenesis, repair, and deregulation in disease. Prof. Dr. Huch is a pioneer in the development of organoid models for non-intestinal tissues, having published seminal papers on stomach, liver, and pancreas organoids. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the molecular and cellular processes regulating tissue repair, our approach is to combine animal models with novel and constantly developing organoid models in the lab (Huch et al., Nature 2013, Huch et al., Cell 2015, Broutier et al., Nature protocols 2016, Broutier et al., Nature Medicine 2017, Cordero-Espinoza et al., Cell Stem Cell 2021, Georgakopoulous et al., BMC Dev 2022, Dowbaj et al., STAR protocols 2023).

Our research team is highly interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative; English is the primary working language in both the Huch lab and the institute.

We aim to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate tissue repair and the emergence of diseases from their deregulation, with a particular focus in fibrosis and cancer. At the molecular level, we found that massive epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming occurs in adult tissues when they exit quiescence and enter the regenerative state (Aloia et al., Nature Cell Biology 2019). We are now exploring other layers of gene regulation, including metabolic rewiring, to gain a detailed molecular understanding of the transition from quiescence. At the cellular level, we also described that, paradoxically, the cell-cell interactions between stromal and epithelial cells can either promote regeneration or maintain quiescence, depending on the number of direct cell-cell contacts between both populations (Cordero-Espinoza et al., Cell Stem Cell 2021). We now aim to investigate the direct players involved in this process by studying cell-adhesion and cell-matrix interactions.

Within this context, we are seeking talented postdoctoral researchers interested in learning and understanding the intricacies of tissue dynamics and organogenesis when challenged, the mechanisms that enable returning to homeostasis, and/or the mechanisms that trigger disease.

• Doctoral degree
• Documented experience in molecular, cell culture and in vivo techniques (e.g., tissue culture, mouse models, FACS, genome-wide and omics-approaches)
• Research background in epigenetics and metabolism, as well as cell biology, cell-matrix or cell-adhesion is highly advantageous
• Excellent communication and data presentation skills
• Excellent command of the English language

The full-time position is available immediately for an initial period of 2 years with the possibility of extension. Salary and social benefits will be in accordance with the collective agreement of the German public service (TVöD, EG13 100%). Starting gross salary would therefore range from 58 – 74K annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

For further details on the open position, please contact Dr. Lisa Johnsen via email or telephone +49 (0)351 210 2136. For questions about the contract or compensation, please contact Brian von Rueden, Head of Human Resources, via email .

• cover letter indicating previous research accomplishments and motivation to apply
• CV
• names of potential references/two letters of recommendation

Please submit your application by 31.07.2024 stating the Code 2024-Postdoc-TissueMechanics-1110 via our online application system .

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Pfotenhauerstr. 108
01307 Dresden
Germany

• The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, and other components of identity.
• The Max Planck Society specifically aims to increase the proportion of women in the areas in which they are underrepresented. We therefore explicitly invite women to apply.
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