Master thesis: Single-cell multi-omics and CRISPR screens to uncover the role of senescent cells in glioblastoma and Alzheimer’s (m/f/d)

Master thesis: Single-cell multi-omics and CRISPR screens to uncover the role of senescent cells in glioblastoma and Alzheimer’s (m/f/d)

We are recruiting an ambitious master thesis student who wants to pursue groundbreaking research in the areas of precision oncology, senescence, and (epi-)genomics. It will be based in the laboratory of Christoph Bock at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna.

The Project

We are offering a position for a wet-lab master thesis student to pursue a project in a collaborative effort to understand the role of senescent cells and potential senolytic treatments in glioblastoma. Together with researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Toronto we are using cutting-edge profiling methods for single-cell multi-omics and spatial transcriptomics to gain a precise understanding of senescence as a shared molecular basis between glioblastoma and Alzheimer’s disease. The main focus of the master thesis project will be the optimization and execution of CRISPR screens to uncover the response of glioblastoma cells to both classical therapy and experimental treatment with senolytic drugs. These screens will entail both CRISPRi and CRISPRa screens via epigenome editing and conventional CRISPR KO screens, including single-cell RNA-seq readout. The master thesis student will be embedded in the engaging and social interdisciplinary team of the Bock lab and will be supervised and mentored by an experienced postdoc leading the screening part of the collaborative project.

The Candidate

We are looking for an outstanding Master thesis student with a strong background in molecular biology and/or related fields with a focus on working in a wet-lab, strive for excellence, and a minimum time commitment of 8 to 12 months. Relevant experience with CRISPR systems and/or cell culture would be beneficial. We provide the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in a highly supportive environment, with significant chances for contributing to an important scientific publication.

The Bock Lab 

The Medical Epigenomics Lab at CeMM pursues interdisciplinary and highly collaborative biomedical research, focusing on the following areas:

• Single-cell biology. Many diseases show deregulation of epigenetic cell states. As a member of the Human Cell Atlas, we use single-cell sequencing and human organoids to dissect the gene-regulatory foundations of cancer & immunity.
• Computational biology. Bioinformatic methods will be essential for advancing precision medicine. We develop algorithms and software for biomedical data analysis, and we pursue clinical collaborations to demonstrate health impact.
• High-throughput technology. Many groundbreaking discoveries are driven by new technologies. We invest heavily into technology development, including single-cell sequencing, CRISPR screens, epigenome editing, and synthetic biology.
• Immune cell engineering. CAR T cells have shown dramatic efficacy for blood cancers and may spearhead a broad shift toward personalized, cell-based therapies. We use high-throughput technology to design synthetic immune cells. 

The Principal Investigator 

Christoph Bock is a principal investigator at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on cancer and immunology, combining experimental biology with high-throughput technology and computational methods. He is also a professor at the Medical University of Vienna, scientific coordinator of the Biomedical Sequencing Facility at CeMM, group leader at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, and an elected member of the Young Academy of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He coordinates the HCA|Organoid project pursuing single-cell analysis of human organoids, which constitutes part of the European contribution to the Human Cell Atlas. He has received major research awards, including the Max Planck Society’s Otto Hahn Medal (2009), an ERC Starting Grant (2016-2021), an ERC Consolidator Grant (2021–2026), and the Overton Prize of the International Society of Computational Biology (2017). He co-founded Aelian Biotechnology, a Vienna-based startup company that develops and applies single-cell methods for high-throughput biology and drug discovery.

About the Institute

CeMM is one of Europe’s leading biomedical research institutes. CeMM researchers routinely publish important discoveries in top journals. Over the last seven years, this included >10 papers in Nature/Cell/Science/NEJM and >30 papers in Nature/Cell sister journals – with a team of 120-150 scientists. Research at CeMM is exceptionally collaborative and has strong focus on medical impact, based on a profound molecular understanding of diseases such as cancer and immune disorders. CeMM is part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a founding member of EU-LIFE. It is located at the center of one of the largest medical campuses in Europe, within walking distance of Vienna’s historical city center. A study by “The Scientist” put CeMM among the top-5 best places to work in academia worldwide (https://www.the-scientist.com/features/best-places-to-work-academia-2012-40676). Vienna is frequently ranked the world’s best city to live. It is a United Nations city with a large English-speaking community. The official language at CeMM is English, and >49 different nationalities are represented at the institute. CeMM promotes equal opportunity and harbors a mix of different talents, backgrounds, competences, and interests. 

We offer

• Work within an experienced, interdisciplinary, and international team at one of Austria’s leading research institutes
• Ample opportunities to contribute and gain experience in a key area of biomedical research and precision medicine
• An inspiring workplace with an international setting, strong team spirit, and an excellent work climate
• A wide range of social, cultural, and sports activities organized by the institute
• Excellent employee benefits including full insurance coverage (health, accident, retirement), health care services, subsidized cafeteria
• Starting monthly gross salary of  EUR 1.073,70 for 20 hours/ week (following the recommendations of FWF)
• Support for relocating to Vienna is provided (relocation reimbursement, visa support, etc.) 

Please apply online (https://cemm.jobbase.io/job/65kg1kcc) with cover letter, CV , certificates (high school & university Diploma/grades)and contact details of 2 referees. Any application received by 20^th of February 2022 will be considered.