PhD Position_ Cell / Pharmaceutical Biology _ Cellular Stress Resistance

A doctoral position (4 years) is available at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Cellular Stress Resistance Team) at the University of Vienna, to dissect the influence of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) on the transcription factor nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Our previous studies have shown that AMPK and Nrf2, two well-known players in cellular homeostasis and targets of several small bioactive molecules, engage in a crosstalk to selectively fine-tune Nrf2-controlled genes. (see e.g. Redox Biol. 2020, 29:101393, and Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:628)

We want to uncover in depth the mechanisms underlying the selective susceptibility of Nrf2 target genes to the action of AMPK. The planned in vitro techniques comprise among others aseptic cultivation of mammalian cells, gene knockdown/out, expression and interaction analyses including ChIP, site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence microscopy, or next generation sequencing. The project will be executed at the Division of Pharmacognosy/Pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Vienna, providing access to modern state of the art infrastructure, and be embedded in the Doctoral School Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Science (https://vds-phanuspo.univie.ac.at/ ).

As optimal candidate you should be motivated, enthusiastic about cell biology and transcriptional regulation, possess a MSc degree in (bio)chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, pharmacy, or similar, as well as have an analytical critical mind, team spirit and excellent English and basic German skills (as teaching duties are associated with this particular position). Previous experience in project-relevant wet-bench techniques and data analysis will be an asset.

If you are interested, please send your letter of motivation with a description of technical skills, CV, university certificates and contact data of at least one reference in a single pdf file to [email protected] with the header PhD/AMPK/Nrf2. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop an email at [email protected]