PostDoc in Gene Therapy and Epigenetics

Faculty of Medicine, Lab for Retinal Gene Therapy
PostDoc in Gene Therapy and Epigenetics
100 %

The Laboratory for Retinal Gene Therapy is part of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Zurich and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zurich. One goal of our research is the preclinical development of new gene therapies for the treatment of hereditary (retinal) diseases in cell culture and in animal models. It is also planned to transfer gene therapy approaches from preclinical research into clinical trials. For this purpose, we are embedded in a dense network of academic and industrial collaborations, which we intend to further expand. Another goal is to explore a completely new area of science that combines gene therapies and their effects on epigenetics.

Your responsibilities
Independent planning and execution of in vitro and in vivo experiments in the fields described above

• Work in cell culture (cultivation of various cell lines and retinal organoids)
• Performance and evaluation of various molecular biological procedures (cloning, transcriptomics, epigenome editing, qRT-PCR etc.)
• Administration and functional testing of new gene therapy approaches in mouse models of retinal diseases
• Preparation and purification of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors
• Diverse microscopic and histological techniques
• Isolation of murine oocytes and spermatozoa with subsequent epigenetic analysis
• Statistical and bioinformatic analysis of results
• Assistance in the preparation of animal experimentation and ethics applications
• Presentation of research results at international congresses
• Co-writing of scientific publications
• Teaching tasks (supervision of courses, internships and master theses)

Your profile
PhD in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, human medicine or other comparable fields of life sciences

• Publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in the methods and techniques described under “Your Responsibilities” is an advantage
• High degree of independence, creativity and initiative
• Excellent organizational talent and team player skills
• Willingness for a longer-term Postdoc phase (≥ 3 years) is a great advantage
• Very good command of written and spoken English.

What we offer
An interesting and varied job in a small, well-coordinated and growing team.

• A newly established laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment.
• The opportunity to build your own sharp research profile using modern techniques and procedures.
• The opportunity to help establish and shape a completely new field of research.
• A long-term position with secure funding. The conditions of employment are in accordance with university guidelines.

Place of work
Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren, Switzerland

Start of employment
Immediately or by agreement.
Please send us a meaningful application (letter of motivation, CV, letters of reference, etc.) in one single pdf-file.

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