Doctoral Research Assistant (gn )

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The Institute of Physiological Chemistry & Pathobiochemistry of the University of Münster offers a position with the possibility to do a doctorate, initially limited to 3 years, starting as soon as possible. Doctoral Research Assistant (gn ) Full-Time with 38.5 hours per week Salary according to TV-L E13 Job Id: 8986 - gn=gender neutral Prof. Seraphine Wegner is currently looking for two motivated doctoral candidates with an active interest in interdisciplinary research in the area of synthetic cells. The doctoral candidates will be part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network "Signalling Synthetic Cells (SigSynCell)" (see website for other positions within the network). Consortium SIGSYNCELL is a doctoral network funded by the European Commission via Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), whose goal is training through research. It is a consortium that brings together a dozen European academic partners, in addition to private companies, coordinated by the CNRS in Bordeaux (F). Introduction to SigSynCell Current biotechnology solutions based on living cells bear the intrinsic limitations that cells are subject to the random process of Natural Evolution, a major drawback for technological applications. Biotechnologies also need to demonstrate that they can be embedded into environmental life cycles to become sustainable options. The construction of synthetic cells therefore emerges as a ground-breaking new biotechnology that can overcome the limitations of current biotechnology solutions. Early forms of life have spontaneously emerged from non-living matter in prebiotic processes involving self-assembly, self-organization and elementary chemical reactivity in confined spaces. We now have at hand in the laboratory the tools to study these processes and elucidate their role in living systems. We are therefore now at a time where we can find and implement generic framework for the construction of cellular systems from basic principles and elementary building blocks. In the consortium SIGSYNCELL, we want to develop synthetic cells as systems having the key characteristics function of living systems: their capacity to interact with their environment. In a controlled laboratory environment, both the cells and the environment can be fully controlled and engineered to gradually control and build up complexity of synthetic cell systems. Research projects of SigSynCell at the University of Münster Many functions in cells, including complex cellular communication, arise from the precise control over when and where certain reactions take place. In the group of Prof. Wegner, we achieve high spatio-temporal control over processes in synthetic cells using photo switchable proteins, which are sensitive to visible light. For more detail on the research profile of the group, please see: As part of SigSynCell, the doctoral candidates will explore the possibilities of precisely regulating i) transport across lipid membranes and ii) communication in diverse communities of synthetic cells with various social relationships. Our overarching goal is to understand the basic mechanisms underlying the development of osteoarthritis and the onset of articular cartilage breakdown. Specifically, this project will focus on the role of CXCR2 chemokine signalling in the modulation of chondrocyte-extracellular matrix interactions during skeletal development, cartilage injury repair and in osteoarthritis. The PhD project will involve a wide range of experimental molecular (RT-PCR, RNAseq) and cell biological and immunological techniques (primary cell culture, immunocytochemistry, FACS, Western blot, microscopy) and research involving handling and analysis of murine transgenic models. Requirements: A Master of Science degree (and no previous PhD degree) in Chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields Advanced level of training in Science and Technology with relevance to the specific PhD position, including laboratory experience Motivation to work at the interface of disciplines (Chemistry, Biology, Engineering and Physics) Good interpersonal, communication and reporting skills, both oral and written and interest for the promotion of science Interest for geographical mobility Mobility conditions: MSCA networks require that applicants must not have studied/worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the position's start date The individual scientific projects are planned within one of the partner Host Institution and every Doctoral candidate will spend a part of their doctoral studies in another consortium laboratory (planned 3-6 months, maximum 12 months/36 months) We are looking forward to receiving your application via our application form until 30.05.2024. Due to legal requirements working with us is only permitted with complete vaccination against measles. Applications of women are specifically invited. In the case of similar qualifications, competence, and specific achievements, women will be considered on preferential terms within the framework of the legal possibilities. Handicapped candidates with equivalent qualifications will be given preference. The University Hospital of Münster is one of the leading hospitals in Germany. Such a position cannot be achieved by size and medical successes alone. The individual commitment counts above all. We need your commitment so that even with little things we can achieve great things for our patients. There are many possibilities open for you so that you may develop with them. Universitätsklinikum Münster Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Gebäude D5 . 48149 Münster .