PhD position in EU Doctoral Network „PANDORA” : Discovering pathomechanisms and novel drug optimization for AMD (DC2)

9 Sep 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute for Ophthalmic Research

Department

Ophthalmology

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology
Neurosciences » Neurobiology
Medical sciences » Health sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

15 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)

Country

Germany

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38,5

Offer Starting Date

1 Feb 2027

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101312030

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

No

Offer Description

Assess the involvement of Factor H-related proteins (FHRs) accumulation on ECM stability and endothelial cell homeostasis

The PhD position is part of the MSCA Doctoral Network PANDORA on discovering Pathomechanisms and Novel Drug Optimization for AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration). AMD is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly population, and its pathological mechanisms are complex and not fully understood.

In human patients, the elevated systemic levels of five factor H-related proteins (FHRs1-5) have been associated with the initial stages of AMD progression. FHRs accumulate in the blood vasculature underlying the outer blood/retinal barrier and are believed to interfere with the regulatory functions of complement factor H, which protects extracellular matrices (ECM) from aberrant complement activation, inflammation and tissue remodeling. However, the molecular consequences of FHR protein accumulation on the choroidal endothelial cells (EC) and its effects on cellular homeostasis, maintenance of the ECM, and the subsequent effects on the associated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are not yet known. The successful candidate will elucidate the effects of FHR protein accumulation in the outer blood/retinal barrier and its contribution to disease pathology.

The generation of highly characterised in-house recombinant proteins is a valuable tool in investigating pathological mechanisms and disease. The successful candidate will create a library of recombinant FHR proteins and further optimize our in-house cellular models of the outer blood/retinal barrier. Together, this will allow the direct exposure of the model to varying FHR protein concentrations representing those found in the blood of healthy and AMD patients. The effects on gene transcription, protein expression, cell morphology, ECM composition, and functional readouts such as diffusion and angiogenesis will all be explored. The model will provide a basis for the potential testing of future therapeutic strategies.

We are seeking a highly motivated and intellectually curious PhD student, ideally with strong background in cell culture and biochemistry. The candidate will investigate the biochemistry driving AMD. The project aims to dissect AMD profiles depending on genetic susceptibility, stressors, and the contribution of the complement system. The PhD candidate will benefit from a network of European experts in different fields (gene therapy, pharmacology, bioinformatics, disease modeling, imaging) and will have the possibility to visit other labs in secondments (lab exchanges).

The doctoral candidate will utilize cutting-edge techniques:

• Cell and tissue culture (human primary and stem cell-derived retinal models)
• Molecular biology and biochemistry techniques (qPCR, immunohistochemistry, western blot)
• Cell analyses (in vitro assays, metabolism measurements)

Recent open access research publications related to this position:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eji.70228

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-14499-3

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000292972100224X?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002929721002202?via%3Dihub

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Neurosciences » Neurobiology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in life sciences (biology, neurobiology, bioinformatics or closely related fields)
• Good background in cell biology and/or biochemistry
• Excellence in oral and written English, with good presentation skills
• High motivation with interest in retinal degeneration and disease mechanisms
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, eye biology and/or neuroscience
• Strong interest in translational biomedical research

Specific Requirements

• Hands on knowledge in cell culture, molecular biology and biochemistry techniques
• Background in complement system biology is a plus

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits

The EU provides 36 months support for each recruited researcher. We offer a highly competitive salary, with a gross salary in the range of 3.924 € (before taxes and employees' social security deductions).

The Institute for Ophthalmic Research is a vibrant academic environment, hosting 13 research labs and 2 clinical research labs, and a core facility for Medical Proteomics. The institution is renowned as a leading centre for vision research. As an integral part of Tübingen’s biomedical and neuroscience campus, we offer a scientific environment that favors creativity for generating groundbreaking ideas, their transfer into reality and their translation into diagnostics and therapy to help those that suffer from vision impairment. The candidate will have the opportunity to interact with other labs and will get exposure to an array of techniques relevant to disease modeling and therapeutics.

We offer modern, state-of the art laboratories, facilities, and equipment, as well as participation in training activities of the international and intersectorial PANDORA network. We also promote participation in national and international conferences.

Eligibility criteria

The applicant

• shall not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date (unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention).
• shall not already be in possession of a doctoral degree (*).
• can be of any nationality.

*researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible

Selection process

Doctoral candidates will be selected based on scientific qualification and experience, research interest, additional knowledge/skills and their motivation to participate in an intersectoral research-training program.

Additional comments

Please send your CV, specifying the title of the position, a 1-page cover letter and the contact details of one or two academic referees to:

Pamela De Fino [email protected]

If you have informal enquiries- please contact Prof. Simon Clark [email protected]

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen

Country

Germany

City

Tuebingen

Postal Code

72076

Street

Elfried-Aulhorn-Str. 7

Geofield

Contact

City

Tübingen

Website

https://www.medizin.uni-tuebingen.de/de/das-klinikum/einrichtungen/institute/forschungsinstitut-augenheilkunde
https://www.eye-tuebingen.de/

Street

Elfriede-Aulhorn Str. 7

Postal Code

72076

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

Phone

004970712987892

STATUS: EXPIRED

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