Research Associate / PhD student (m/f/x)

At TU Dresden, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, the Chair of Zoology and Animal Physiology (Prof. Dr. Schirmeier) offers a position as

Research Associate / PhD student (m/f/x)

(subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting at the earliest possible date. The position comprises 65 % of the fulltime weekly hours and is limited until October 31, 2024 with the option for extension. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz-WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (e.g. PhD). 

The chair aims to analyze the metabolic homeostasis of the central nervous system. Disturbance of neural metabolism is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. Several open questions are being addressed using Drosophila: How are metabolites distributed throughout the brain? How is the amount of metabolites imported and supplied to the neurons coupled to neuronal activity? How does neural metabolism adapt to sub-optimal or even adverse conditions?

Tasks: In the DFG-funded project, the successful candidate will analyze the effect of temperature changes, especially cold-shock, on blood-brain barrier permeability and neural metabolism. Genetically encoded fluorescent metabolite nanosensors will be used to unravel metabolic adaptation. The project will further comprise methods of molecular cloning, state of the art Drosophila genomic engineering and microscopy techniques.

Requirements: very good university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Biology, Biochemistry or related fields. Individuals with a strong background in cell biology, developmental biology or molecular biology are encouraged to apply. Experience in Drosophila genetics and live microscopy would be helpful, but is not essential.

Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same applies to people with disabilities.

Please submit your comprehensive application including the usual documents (motivation letter, curriculum vitae and a grade transcript); additional two letters of recommendation from two referees by February 1, 2022 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service applies) via the TU Dresden SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf document to [email protected] or by mail to: TU Dresden, Fakultät Biologie, Institut für Zoologie, Professur für Zoologie und Tierphysiologie, z.Hd. Frau Nike Vogt, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis