2 ERC-funded PhD positions on cytoskeletal crosstalk

23 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Saarland University

Department

Experimental Physics

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology
Physics » Biophysics
Chemistry » Biochemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Germany

Application Deadline

20 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / ERC

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

In their natural environment, cells need to combine two seemingly contradicting tasks: they need to constantly change their shape, while remaining intact in the face of mechanical forces their often experience. How do they do this?

Both the mechanical resilience of cells and their ability to change their shape are based on the cytoskeleton. Aspects of stability and adaptability are reflected by microtubules and vimentin intermediate filaments, which have complementary properties: while microtubules are stiff and highly dynamic, vimentin filaments are soft, stretchable and not very dynamic (see Gan et al., Cell Systems, 2016 and Schaedel et al., Nature Communications 2021). The goal of the project is to investigate how these complementary filaments work together so that cells can balance robustness and adaptation – a question that is relevant to all biological systems, from subcellular structures to organisms.

To address this question, we have 2 openings for PhD students fully funded by a prestigious ERC grant. The successful applicants will benefit from our lab’s experience with diverse systems, from reconstituted in vitro systems based on purified proteins to cell-based asays. To study these systems, we use a variety of techniques, including surface micropatterning strategies, microfluidics, and advanced fluorescence microscopy.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics » Biophysics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Completed university studies (M.Sc.) in biology, biophysics, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Prior wet lab experience is essential.
• Desirable experience in one or more of the following areas: in vitro reconstitution (cell-free assays, protein biochemistry), cell-based studies (cell culture, molecular biology), biophysics (rheology / network mechanics), micro-fabrication (photolithography, microfluidics, surface chemistry).

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits

• The successful candidates will become part of an international and multidisciplinary team in a creative working environment
• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket Plus‘ of the saarVV)

Website for additional job details

https://biocytolab.com/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

2

Company/Institute

Saarland University

Country

Germany

State/Province

Saarland

City

Saarbrücken

Postal Code

66123

Street

Campus

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Saarland

City

Saarbrücken

Website

https://www.uni-saarland.de/

Street

Campus

Postal Code

66123

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED