PhD Student

A 3-year PhD position is immediately available in an Austrian Science Fund (FWF)-funded project in the laboratory (Competence Center Periodontal Research) of Associate Professor Oleh Andrukhov at the Medical University of Vienna, University Clinic of Dentistry. In our laboratory, we are highly interested in exploring the fundamental mechanisms involved in periodontal health and disease as well as periodontal regeneration. We are especially focused on the mechanisms of periodontal inflammation as well as the usage of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells as therapeutic tool in periodontal therapy. Our proximity to the Clinical Division of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology allows us to be in constant exchange with clinical periodontologists and link our basic science to clinical research.

The specific project for which we are seeking one highly motivated PhD student is focused on the immunomodulatory activity of different subpopulations of periodontally derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.

Main tasks:

• Planning, conducting and analyzing experiments independently and under the supervision of the PI and the PostDoc
• Isolating and culturing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from extracted teeth and various immune cells from patients’ whole blood
• Establishing new methods in the laboratory independently and under the supervision of the PI and a PostDoc
• Presenting Results during internal lab and institution meetings and on various international meetings (online, hybrid, in-person)

Skills and experience:

Potential candidates must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or related area. Experience in basic cell/molecular biology techniques, e.g. cell culture, qPCR, western blot, flow cytometry, etc. is mandatory. Additional expertise in transcriptomic and proteomic approaches and bioinformatics as well as in tissue histology is highly desirable. The potential candidates should have good English (written and oral) and communication skills and should be able to work on her/his own as well as in an interdisciplinary team.

Successful applicant will be hired on a full employment contract (30 hours per week) for 3 years according to FWF personnel costs. Additionally, successful candidate will be enrolled in the N790 Doctoral Studies (Musculoskeletal and Dental Research ) of the Medical University of Vienna.

Curriculum vitae, motivation letter and the names of at least two referees should be e-mailed to:

Oleh Andrukhov, University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, e-mail: [email protected]