PhD Position (m/f/d) (Biologist)

PhD Position (m/f/d)

We are looking for a dedicated and highly motivated molecular or cell biologist to strengthen our DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center SFB 1550 "Molecular Circuits of Heart Diseases" in Heidelberg. The position is part of the project "Transcriptional restructuring of cardiomyocytes in bioengineered microenvironments," which is carried out in close cooperation with the laboratory of Christine Selhuber-Unkel. The central question is how inflammatory and metabolic signals influence the function and epigenetic state of cardiomyocytes. In this way, the project makes an important contribution to a better understanding of the effects of cardiometabolic syndrome on heart muscle cells. As part of the project, you will develop and use innovative models based on human stem cells and bioengineered cardiomyocytes to investigate and characterize heart cells under fully defined conditions with high resolution. In doing so, you will combine state-of-the-art methods from molecular and cell biology, bioengineering, high-content imaging, and CRISPR/Cas-based transcriptional manipulation. The goal is to identify disease-relevant signaling programs and explore new approaches with which disease-associated cell states can be specifically influenced and potentially reversed.

• You will take independent responsibility for your research project and investigate how inflammatory and metabolic signals influence the state of cardiomyocytes as well as their gene regulation and epigenetic landscape.
• You will establish, optimize, and characterize cardiomyocyte models from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in 2D and in bioengineered 3D microenvironments.
• You will use a wide range of molecular and cell biological methods, including hiPSC culture and differentiation, molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas-based genome and transcription engineering, immunoblotting, ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, and high-content microscopy.
• You will generate and analyze transcriptome and epigenome datasets, including using RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, as well as ChIP-Seq or CUT&Tag.
• You will link high-throughput sequencing data with imaging data and functional phenotyping to identify molecular circuits underlying stress responses and remodeling processes of cardiomyocytes.
• You will investigate selected signaling and transcriptional regulators using genetic approaches such as CRISPR/Cas or shRNA, as well as through the targeted use of small molecule drugs.
• You will document, analyze, and interpret your experimental results and critically evaluate them in a scientific context.
• You will present your research results in internal meetings and seminars as well as at national and international conferences.
• You will contribute to the publication of your research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• You hold a Master's degree (M.Sc.) or a comparable degree in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, molecular medicine, biomedicine, or a related field from an internationally recognized university or research institution.
• You bring sound theoretical knowledge in molecular and cell biology.
• You have practical experience in the cultivation of mammalian cells and in the application of molecular biological methods.
• Experience with hiPSC cultures, cardiomyocyte differentiation, CRISPR/Cas-based methods, high-content imaging, or Next-Generation-Sequencing is an advantage.
• Knowledge in the areas of cardiology, immunology, epigenetics, bioengineering, or in the computational analysis of sequencing data is desirable.
• Ideally, you already have experience in the creation, preparation, or interpretation of transcriptome and epigenome datasets.
• You are enthusiastic about scientific questions regarding inflammatory signaling pathways, cardiomyocyte biology, and the molecular mechanisms of diseases.
• You are motivated to establish and further develop innovative and human-relevant model systems under defined experimental conditions.
• You are characterized by an independent, structured, and at the same time team-oriented way of working, and you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• You have very good written and spoken English skills and can communicate confidently in an international scientific environment.
• An international, cooperative, and interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of molecular and cell biology, cardiology, materials science, and bioengineering.
• Participation in the training platform of the SFB 1550, including competency courses, seminars, workshops, and journal clubs.
• Regular structured meetings with the project team and individual scientific supervision.
• Opportunities to develop an independent research profile and to participate in collaborative projects.
• Support in presenting research results at national and international conferences.
• Opportunities to build scientific networks through national and international research consortia and professional societies, including the DZHK, the DGK, the ESC, and the AHA.
• An inspiring research environment in Heidelberg, Germany.

Please submit your application, including a cover letter, CV (without photo, without age, and without information about your marital status), proof of studies, 2 scientific letters of recommendation, and other relevant documents, via our online portal.

If you have a foreign degree, please include proof of the recognition of your Master's degree in Germany with your application. The proof can be obtained via the anabin database and submitted as a PDF attachment with the application. Further information can be found under Recognition of Degrees and Achievments (https://www.mdc-berlin.de/content/guide-new-scientists?mdcbl%5B0%5D=/de/careers/work-life/welcome-family-office&mdctl=0&mdcou=0&mdcot=0&mdcbv=tJ1UjFVrtLpkXBiasnNmx9Fg_yO3rbFr98ICfu5rb0w) .

Information on fair mobility can be found here: https://www.fair-labour-mobility.eu/ (https://www.fair-labour-mobility.eu/) .

www.mdc-berlin.de