PhD student position bei Uniklinik RWTH Aachen

As a tertiary and quaternary level provider of medical care, the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen combines patient-oriented medicine and care, teaching and research at an international level. The entire spectrum of medical care is provided through 36 specialist departments, 33 institutes and six interdisciplinary units. The co-location of patient care, research and teaching in a central building offers the best conditions for intensive interdisciplinary exchange and close clinical and scientific networking. Highly qualified teams of doctors, nurses and scientists work collaboratively to optimise the healthcare provision of our local, regional, national and international patients. Around 9,000 employees ensure that our care delivery is patient-oriented medicine and surpasses the highest quality standards. With 1,400 beds, the university hospital treats around 50,000 inpatient and 200,000 outpatient cases per year.

The Institute of Medical Microbiology (AG Selkrig) at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen offers a

PhD student position (f/m/d) Microbiology / Infection biology / Biochemistry or similar

The part time position 65% (25,03 hours/week) starts as soon as possible. The position is initially funded for one year, with the option of a prolongation to three years. The successful candidate may be given the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree.

Tasks:

Intracellular pathogens have evolved elaborate mechanisms to invade host cells and avoid detection by host cell defence machineries. For instance, intracellular Salmonella enterica subtype Typhimurium (STm) injects a cocktail of so-called “effector” proteins into the host cytoplasm using a needle-like device which promotes the construction of a membranous shield, referred to as the Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV). The SCV protects STm from host innate immune receptors however the molecules responsible for regulating SCV integrity, and the downstream consequences this has for STm pathogenesis, remain poorly understood. We recently revealed that the human Niemann-Pick disease Type C1 protein (NPC1) – responsible for subcellular cholesterol and sphingosine transport - interacts with an effector protein STm injects into host cells and and is recruited to the SCV. This project will employ innovative molecular microbiology, biochemical and systems biology approaches to dissect the functional impact of secreted STm effectors on the transport of host lipids and lipid trafficking proteins, and the impact this has on SCV stability and STm pathogenesis.

Techniques to be acquired:

Bacterial and mammalian genetics, handling and cultivation of both bacterial and mammalian cells, in vitro Salmonella infection, expression and purification of recombinant proteins, molecular biology, cloning, SDS-PAGE, microscopy, Flow Cytometry, state-of-the-art quantitative proteomics sample prep and data analysis.

Ihr Profil

• Masters degree completed (above average) in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or biotechnology related field
• Strong curiosity-driven interest in basic research in molecular microbiology, infection biology, biochemistry and/or eukaryotic cell biology
• Team-oriented worker, enthusiasm for establishing new experimental approaches and strong commitment to research goals are expected
• Experience with molecular biology (e.g. PCR), and cloning
• Proficiency in English (Level C1)
• Desirable: Experience in bacterial and/or mammalian genetics and cell biology would be an advantage

Why should you choose us?

What we offer...

• 300 professions under one roof - more variety is not possible.
• We offer performance-based remuneration in accordance with the provisions of TV-L (EG 13), including attractive public service benefits.
• In addition to a wide range of further education and training opportunities we offer a wide range of health promotion options as well as the extensive university sports program.
• Monthly employee discounts through our corporate benefits program to save on private shopping.
• Flexible working hours so that you can better combine work and private life, because your work-life balance is important to us.
• Attractive conditions for public transport or discounted employee parking so that you have a relaxed commute.
• A company kindergarten so that your children are always close by