Download 1 PhD position in Cell biology / Biochemistry / Imaging / PI3Kinase

1 PhD position in Cell biology / Biochemistry / Imaging / PI3Kinase signaling / Cell Polarity / Hepatocytic Cell Shape and Funtion (Project funded by the German Ministry of Science (BMBF); E13/0.65 position; 3 years ‐ extension possible) available to characterize the functions of PI3Kinase and PI(3,4,5)P3 in the cytoskeletal and membrane‐modulating processes affecting the functions and the cellular shape of hepatocytes in response to stress, such as that induced during sepsis. The project will be embedded into a collaborative frame work with the Michael Bauer lab (Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC) in Jena) and will mainly be conducted at the Institute of Biochemistry I (Britta Qualmann & Michael M. Kessels labs). The Institute of Biochemistry I provides a stimulating research environment with excellent technical equipment in a recently completely reconstructed building right in the center of Jena ‐ one of the top‐ranking and most lively biotech and university cities of Germany (ranked 2nd in the career atlas of all German cities – chasing Munich!). The aim of our internationally well‐known research team is to gain a molecular understanding of how the cortical actin cytoskeleton and specialized proteins, which are able to modulate the topology of the plasma membrane, shape cellular compartments and entire cells. Such processes contribute to development, function and plastic adaptation of cells and of the cellular organization of tissues. Both the Britta Qualmann/Michael Kessels labs as well as the Michael Bauer lab is known for publishing cutting edge science in international top‐ranking journals of cell biology and medicine, respectively. For examples of first‐author papers of (former) PhD students in our labs see e.g. Ahuja R. et al. 2007 Cell Dharmalingam E. et al. 2009 J. Neurosci. Koch D. et al. 2011 EMBO J. Schwintzer L. et al. 2011 EMBO J. Koch N. et al. 2012 J. Cell Sci. Press A.T. et al. 2014 Nat. Commun. Schneider et al., 2014 J. Cell Biol. As PI3Kgamma KO mice were protected from life‐threatening failure of liver functions during sepsis (Recknagel P. et al., 2012 PLoS Med.), we aim to study the functions of this enzyme and of its signaling lipid PI(3,4,5)P3 in cytoskeletal and membrane‐modulating processes affecting the functions and the cellular shape of hepatocytes in response to stress at the cell biological level and at the level of PI(3,4,5)P3 effector proteins in collaboration with the lab of Michael Bauer. Several molecular players at the membrane/actin interface will be characterized for their role in cytoskeletal and membrane dynamics and in shaping hepatocytes. A focus will be on the formation and maintenance of cell polarity, on microvilli formation of cultured hepatocytes and on the establishment of functional cannaliculae important for secreting bile using methods of modern molecular biology, protein/protein and protein/lipid biochemistry, cell biology and imaging techniques at the fluorescence microscopical and (ultra)high‐resolution level. Applicants should have a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of modern biochemistry and cell biology. Suitable technical experience is a strong plus for your application; however, the lab also provides excellent further training. In particular, technical experience in fluorescence microscopy imaging techniques (fixed and/or live) and in analyzing protein/lipid interactions as well as in deciphering and functionally characterizing regulatory aspects in cell biology is appreciated. Knowledge of advanced methods for studying actin cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane interactions and/or dynamics and cell shape at ultrahigh light microscopical or electron microscopical resolution are of course an advantage as well but not a prerequisite. Candidates need to be distinguished by a high motivation to succeed in science. Candidates should furthermore be kind, efficient and reliable team‐players and able to integrate into our international research team smoothly. Knowledge of the german language is not required because of the internationality of our group and of life in the young and vibrant university town of Jena. Fluent English, however, is a prerequisite. Starting date: preferentially 1st of August 2015 (flexible) Further information: www.biochemie.uniklinikum‐jena.de/biochemie/en/Biochemistry+I.html https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Kessels http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Kessels+Qualmann Please send your complete application (CV, incl. 2‐3 ref. addresses, PubList, certificates and transcripts of Bachelor and Master) to Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Britta Qualmann & Priv.Doz. Dr. rer. nat. Michael M. Kessels Institute of Biochemistry I, Jena University Hospital – Friedrich Schiller University Jena Nonnenplan 2‐4, D‐07743 Jena, Germany or via E‐Mail (PDF preferred) to: [email protected]‐jena.de The FSU Jena is an equal opportunity employer promoting the advance of women in science. Jena is ranked second in the German career atlas (chasing Munich)! (http://www.karriere.de/beruf/muenchen‐jena‐berlin‐die‐top‐regionen‐in‐deutschland‐7952/) "That Jena scores so well is the result of a successful combination of research, education and economics." "University: 25% of all inhabitants are students. Jena is a very young and lively city. The job market is hot." "Jena is well‐known as internationally leading place for optics. Companies, such as Carl Zeiss, Jena Analytik, Jena Bioscience, Alere Technologies, Jenoptik and Schott set global standards."