PhD Student
PhD Position (DNA Repair & Genome Stability): Characterisation of telomere-binding proteins Full-time
Thinking of doing your PhD in Molecular Biology? The International PhD Programme (IPP) on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability is offering talented, young scientists the chance to work at the cutting edge of research. The IPP is a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.
The programme is coordinated by the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) — a modern research centre located on the bustling campus of Mainz University in Germany. With a population of 200,000, of which about 40,000 are students, the city of Mainz is charming and open-minded and is within easy reach of cosmopolitan Frankfurt, the Rhine valley region with its castles, vineyards, and nature reserves, and the equally picturesque cities of Wiesbaden and Heidelberg. With Frankfurt airport – the largest airport in mainland Europe – only 20 minutes away, countless European and overseas destinations are within easy reach.
Activities and responsibilities:
In the field of “DNA Repair & Genome Stability”, the IPP research group of Dr Falk Butter offers the following PhD project:
Characterisation of telomere-binding proteins
Telomeres, the protective cap of chromosomes, are implicated in various biological processes including ageing and cancer development. In most differentiated cells, telomeres gradually shorten with each cell division, defining the proliferative capacity of a cell and upon reaching a limit, short telomeres ultimately induce cellular senescence. This end replication problem is counteracted in germ and stem cells by de novo addition of telomeric repeats enabled by the enzyme telomerase (also sometimes referred to as the immortality enzyme). This process it tightly regulated by telomere-associated proteins. In the last years, we have described new telomere-binding proteins like HMBOX1 (HOT1), ZBTB48 (TZAP) and ZBTB10 in human, TelAP1 in trypanosomes as well as TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 in C.elegans.
PhD project
We are looking for a highly motivated student with a firm interest in telomere biology. A strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work independently is required. We provide the opportunity to use diverse cell biological and biochemical methods during the project. For this project, you will obtain additional support and training by several core facilities (e.g. cytometry, histology, microscopy, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics).
We aim to extend the molecular characterization of telomeric candidates in our models S.pombe, C.elegans and zebrafish. During this project, we will establish transgenic as well as CRISPR-Cas knock-out strains to study the effect of proteins in vivo. We will apply state-of-the-art omics techniques (ChIP-seq, transcriptomics and proteomics) to obtain a global picture of gene regulation comparing germ line specific and somatic regulatory functions. Specific assays will be employed to investigate telomere length (teloblot, qFISH), effects on telomerase action (qTRAP) as well as telomeric localization (live, confocal and superresolution microscopy). Additionally, biochemical in vitro studies will supplement the in vivo analysis.
What we offer:
· Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a fully international environment, with English as our working language
· Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
· Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
· Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis.
· A lively community of more than 140 PhD students from 40 different countries
Requirements:
Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of science while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!
We seek enthusiastic candidates with a special interest in the following topics:
· Ageing & Disease
· Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
· DNA Repair & Genome Stability
· Epigenetics & Nuclear Dynamics
· Gene Regulation & Evolution
· RNA Biology
Further requirements:
Master or equivalent
Interactive personality & good command of English
2 letters of reference
For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via our online form, please visit www.imb.de/phd
The deadline for applications is 27 November 2020. Interviews will take place in Mainz on 25-27 January 2021 if the pandemic situation allows. Otherwise we will inform selected candidates in due time about an alternative online programme.
Starting date: 1 March 2021 – 1 September 2021