PhD Student (m/f/d) | Cell Growth Control in Health and Age-related Disease

Job Code: 31-2022

Job Offer from October 13, 2022

The Max Planck Research Group Cell Growth Control in Health and Age-related Disease  headed by Dr. Constantinos Demetriades is looking for a PhD student (m/f/d), job code 31-2022.

The aim of the research group “Cell Growth Control in Health and Age-related Disease” is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cell growth control, nutrient sensing, and secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; and to identify and functionally characterize novel regulators of these processes, focusing on their putative implementation as new targets for drug development. Our work combines high-throughput omics approaches (functional genomic screens, proteomic analyses, metabolomics), with elegant molecular biology, biochemistry and high-resolution microscopy techniques. We make use of established human and mouse cell lines, as well as primary patient-derived cells, to address multiple fundamental questions: How is cell growth regulated in normal cells? How does its dysregulation contribute to the development of cancer and other age-related diseases? How do cells respond to nutrient starvation? What is the role of extracellular proteins in this process? How is the secretion of bulky cargo proteins regulated upon stress? How are these mechanisms regulated in a spatiotemporal and tissue-specific manner?

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of scientists in the context of the DFG research unit FOR2722, headed by Dr. Demetriades and Dr. Nüchel. The Research Unit investigates the reciprocal relationship between nutrient signaling and the ECM, as well as its importance in musculoskeletal diseases. The candidate is expected to work on these topics in close collaboration with scientists from the Universities of Cologne, Münster, Frankfurt, and the German Sports University, hence offering great networking potential. Moreover, PhD students of the participating groups will receive comprehensive training with active participation in summer schools, annual retreats and international symposia.

We seek highly motivated, ambitious, and talented scientists to join an enthusiastic and collaborative team in an outstanding scientific environment. The position is available immediately.

Qualifications

The applicant is required to hold a master’s degree/diploma in biology, biochemistry or a related field, and to have strong written and oral communication skills. The working language of the lab is English; knowledge of the German language is not necessary. Experience in one or more of the following methodologies: cell culture, confocal/super-resolution microscopy, protein and RNA analysis, molecular cloning, CRISPR-based gene-editing, or previous work in the fields of ECM biology and/or secretory pathways will be considered an advantage.

Research environment

The Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (MPI-AGE) was founded in 2008 with the aim to understand fundamental mechanisms of healthy ageing. The institute is part of a broad network of research institutions in the Cologne-Bonn area dedicated to research on ageing and age-related disease, constituting a vibrant and collaborative environment for research. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and excellent core facilities, to which the successful candidate will have access, the institute provides outstanding research opportunities for its scientists. At the moment, we host employees from 35 different nations.

We offer a three-year contract according to the funding guidelines for young researchers of the Max Planck Society. The Max Planck Society is committed to employ more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply. We also seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and especially encourage them to apply.

Are you interested?

Then please upload your complete application documents in electronic form as a single PDF, via our online application platform (applications sent via email will not be taken into consideration):

https://www.age.mpg.de/career-education/open-positions

Your application (job code 31-2022) should contain a one-page letter with a personal statement outlining your research interests and relevant work experience, your CV (including list of publications, if applicable), and contact information for 2-3 references. Deadline for applications is the 30th of November 2022.

Informal inquiries are welcome and should be sent to [email protected] . For further information about the Institute and the Demetriades lab please visit www.age.mpg.de . More information about the DFG Research Unit can be found at: http://for2722.uni-koeln.de .