PhD Student (gn) Computational Biology

(*gn=gender neutral)
Ref. Nr. 6923

The lab for Functional Genomics in Psychiatry at the Department of Mental Health, WWU Muenster, Germany offers a position, limited to initially 3 years.

Part-Time with 65%
Salary according to TV-L 13

The mission of the Ziller lab is to develop and apply novel strategies to dissect the genetic and epigenetic basis of complex diseases, with particular focus on psychiatric disorders. Our research is focused on the question how many genetic and environmental risk factors act in concert to create a permissive molecular environment that fosters the emergence of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and lead to treatment resistance.
In order to address this problem, we employ a highly interdisciplinary, integrative biology approach that utilizes human pluripotent stem cell based model systems, high throughput functional genomic screening and big data based machine learning, bridging the scales from genetics to patient level traits. The Ziller lab is part of the Department for Mental Health of the Medical Faculty, WWU Muenster.

The overall goal of the Department is to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric diseases and treatment resistance, rapidly utilizing these insights to develop new patient tailored therapeutic approaches in a knowledge driven fashion.

We are looking for a motivated individual interested in the development of new technologies to enable large scale cohort studies using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with mental illness. This position requires a solid background in cell and molecular biology (e.g. Masters Degree in related disciplines) and ideally a desire to make a difference for people suffering from mental health problems. The position focuses on the establishment of new approaches to generate and differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells from patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder. It requires the mastery and/or coordination of technologies from different fields, including engineering, cell culture and molecular biology. Good communication skills are essential as this project is embedded in a highly interdisciplinary background.

Please apply online (including a cover letter expressing research interests, along with a brief summary of your previous projects, including applied techniques and a complete CV) until 14.12.2022!

The University Hospital of Münster is one of the leading hospitals in Germany. Such a position cannot be achieved by size and medical successes alone. The individual commitment counts above all. We need your commitment so that even with little things we can achieve great things for our patients. There are many possibilities open for you so that you may develop with them.

Applications of women are specifically invited. In the case of similar qualifications, competence, and specific achievements, women will be considered on preferential terms within the framework of the legal possibilities. Handicapped candidates with equivalent qualifications will be given preference. Due to legal requirements working with us is only permitted with complete vaccination against Covid-19 and measles.