PhD position (E13 TV-L, 65%) – Mechanobiology of vascular infections

14 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Tübingen

Department

Microbiology and Infection Medicine

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Germany

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38.5

Offer Starting Date

1 Jul 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

The Bastounis lab in the Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology & Infection Medicine (Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections”, CMFI EXC 2124) at the University of Tübingen is looking to fill one PhD position (E13 TV-L, 65%) as part of a recently funded DFG funded project. The earliest starting date for this position will be on 01.07.2024. The position is funded for a period of three years. The available position focuses on deciphering the mechanobiological processes involved in vascular endothelial cell infection by food-borne facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.

Specific research project

Endothelial cells that line the inner lumen of our vessels are constantly exposed to shear stresses due to blood flow and are experiencing alterations in the stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on which they reside (Bastounis et al., 2019). Changes in both these mechanical cues contribute to multiple pathologies including atherosclerosis, and often correlate with in- creased susceptibility to bacterial infection (Bastounis et al., 2018). However, most clinical studies on these correlations lack causality and are rather observational in nature. Using a multi-well impinging flow jet to impart varying shear stresses and gradients into endothelial cells in culture residing on varying stiffness ECMs we will investigate how those alone and in synergy impact direct adhesion and uptake of pathogenic intracellular bacteria, as well as their ability to spread from cell to cell. The goal of the project is to discover how shear flows impact host cell mechanotransduction and tension, thus facilitating or obstructing intracellular bacterial pathogen dissemination through endothelia.

For further information about the position, please contact Effie Bastounis by e-mail at [email protected] , and visit our website https://www.bastounislab.org . Ap- plications with a short cover/motivation letter, CV/biosketch, diploma(s) and two contacts for references should be sent via email to [email protected] .

The University aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and urges suitably qualified women scientists to apply. Qualified international researchers are expressly invited to apply. Disabled persons with equal aptitude will be given preferential consideration.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The ideal candidate preferably brings along a degree that demonstrates an interdisciplinary background in both life and engineering sciences. While a background in host-pathogen in- teractions, cell biology, microscopy is a plus, a solid background in basic computer program- ming (e.g. MATLAB, Python etc.) and/or image processing is also important to carry out the planned studies and analysis. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent communication and initiative skills, who is excited to conduct interdisciplinary studies and can team up with the various scientists with whom we are collaborating. We offer work environment that is strongly stimulating with state-of-the-art infrastructure and various facilities (check the IMIT and CMFI websites) which will provide the successful applicant with unique opportunities to develop a strong interdisciplinary portfolio in microbiology, microscopy, cell biology and biomechanics.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Univeristy of Tuebingen

Country

Germany

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Tübingen

Website

http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche-fakultaet/
https://www.bastounislab.org

Street

Elfriede Aulhorn Str. 6

Postal Code

72076

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED