PhD position (m/f/d) in within the CRC1371/ Molecular Immunology

20.03.2023, Wissenschaftliches Personal

The gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in health and disease. CRC 1371 (Speaker Prof. Dr. Dirk Haller) focuses on the digestive tract and proposes an interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the functional relevance of microbiome signatures in the context of inflammation and cancer. Within CRC 1371, the Integrated Research Training School (IRTG) provides a qualification program for PhD students containing excellent multidisciplinary training with tailor-made subject-based and soft skills courses, annual retreats, summer school, and a supervision concept. More information on the IRTG, the research projects and principal investigators are available on the CRC 1371 website.

Job description
This fully-funded PhD project (project P02 of the CRC1371) is based on work from the first funding period that identified the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) as an important regulator of small-intestinal homeostasis. XIAP functions as an inhibitor of microbiota , TNF-, and RIPK3-dependent death of Paneth cells and myeloid cells, specifiable in the terminal ileum of mice. In the absence of XIAP, Paneth cells are dysfunctional, which is associated with defects in control of the microbiota and susceptibility to bacteria able to promote intestinal inflammation in these genetically susceptible hosts. Inflammatory cell death of myeloid cells in the absence of XIAP contributes to the release of cytokines such as TNF, which further promotes Paneth cell dysfunction, thus supporting a self-reinforcing pathway of inflammation. Together, these findings illustrated how genetic defects associated with Paneth cell dysfunction can elicit susceptibility to microbial drivers of inflammation. In addition, our work highlighted host and microbial targets for therapeutic interference with intestinal inflammation in XIAP deficiency and potentially other genetic alterations associated with Paneth cell dysfunction.

Based on these data, in the next funding phase, we will further delineate host and microbial requirements for promotion of intestinal inflammation in XIAP-deficient mice and aim to develop bacterial consortia for the prevention and treatment of intestinal inflammation in XIAP deficiency. This work will be complimented with studies on patient-derived studies focused on microbial drivers of disease. For more detail, please take a look at our publications Wahida, Müller et. Al., (2021) Sci. Immunology (10.1126/sciimmunol.abf7235) and Strigli et al., (2021) Sci. Immunology (10.1126/sciimmunol.abf7473).

Required qualification
Candidates hold a Master degree (or equivalent) in Biology and/or Biochemistry. They are open minded, active and have a good command of the English language (oral and written).

Salary and duration
Payment is according to the wage agreement of the civil service TV-L, 65% of E13 for PhD student positions. Please note that there are no additional postgraduate degree fees required for international candidates.

Application deadline
Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

Contact person
Dr. Monica Yabal, [email protected]

Application
Applicants are asked to send one pdf file to the contact person. The file includes
1. cover letter,
2. curriculum vitae,
3. copies of academic degrees and transcripts of records,
4. preferences of projects (optional),
5. contact information for at least one letter of recommendation,
6. list of publications with link for downloading (Do not include your publications in the pdf file).
As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, TUM explicitly encourages applications from women as well as from all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university’s research and teaching strategies. Preference will be given to disabled candidates with essentially the same qualifications.

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.)

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.

Kontakt: [email protected]