The working group of
Dr. María Mendiburo at the
Institute of Molecular Medicine I (director: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wesselborg) at the Medical Faculty of the
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and the University Hospital Düsseldorf has a call for
1 position as doctoral researcher / PhD student (m/w/d)
(65% salary scale 13 TV-L)
to be filled starting September, 1st 2024 or later. The employment is initially limited for a period of 3 years. The position is a qualification position according to the Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG), which is to promote the scientific qualification of employees.
Our main topic of research is the autophagy-related ULK1 complex, consisting of the ULK1 kinase and accessory proteins, which is essential for autophagy initiation in response to cellular stress. Interestingly, besides this established function, the ULK1 kinase is involved in autophagy-independent processes such as the proper progression through mitosis. With the aim of identifying phosphorylation substrates for ULK1 specifically during cell division, we performed quantitative proteomics analyses in mitotic WT and ULK1/2 knockout cells. The goal of this project is to validate and further characterize a short-list of ULK1 target candidates, and analyze the function of their ULK1-dependent phosphorylation during cell division.
The methods used include various techniques from molecular biology (cloning of pro- and eukaryotic vectors, different PCR techniques), cell biology (transformation of bacteria, retro- and lentiviral infection of eukaryotic cells, generation of KO cell lines by CRISPR/Cas, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy) and biochemistry (gel electrophoresis, western blots, immuno- and affinity purification, production and purification of recombinant proteins, phosphorylation analysis by in vitro assays, fluorometric/colorimetric/luminometric assays).
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated applicant with a master degree (MSc) or a state examination in a natural science discipline such as biology, biochemistry, toxicology, molecular medicine, pharmacy, or a related discipline. Excellent communication skills in English are essential. Knowledge of a wide range of biochemical, molecular and cell biological methods is an advantage. However, equally important are independent thinking, interest, motivation, the ability to work in a team, and extensive organizational and problem-solving skills.
The pay scale grouping will be, depending on the personal qualification of the applicant, up to salary scale 13 TV-L (65%).
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf aims at increasing the percentage of employed women. Applications from women will therefore be given preference in cases of equal aptitude, ability and professional achievements unless there are exceptional reasons for choosing another applicant. Applications from suitably qualified severely disabled persons or disabled persons regarded as being of equal status according to Book IX of the German Social Code (SGB-Soziales Gesetzbuch) are encouraged.