Academic research assistant in Saarbrücken bei Universität des Saarlandes

Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes.

Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the

university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to

share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over

17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland

University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of

Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one

of the largest employers in the region.

The Institute of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research is inviting applications for the following

position commencing 01 November 2024

Academic research assistant (m/f/x)
Reference number W2491, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration

of employment: Until 31 October 2026, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.

Workplace/Department:

A postdoctoral position is available in the Institute of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research at the

Medical Faculty (Homburg/Saar) of Saarland University.

We are a young, friendly, international and dynamic group. Saarland is a great place to live in the middle of Europe,

next to France, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

Our overarching objective is to decipher fundamental mechanisms that drive osteoarthritis and develop novel

molecular therapies for cartilage repair osteoarthritis. We investigate new strategies to regenerate damaged articular

cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues to restore the original functionality. Based on clinical needs, we are

developing molecular therapies for the treatment of focal cartilage defects in non-osteoarthritic joints, meniscal

lesions and osteoarthritis. We employ patient samples and animal models to interrogate the osteochondral crosstalk

in health and disease with an emphasis on patient-specific factors. Another major area of interest is to utilize (AAV).

The long-term objective is to integrate approaches in stem cell research, gene transfer, and tissue engineering to

1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is
further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at
level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.

develop improved therapeutic strategies for articular cartilage defects, meniscal lesions and osteoarthritis. Ultimately,

we seek to translate this work into improved therapies for patients.

Please see the following recent publications from our lab:

Olah et al., Sci Transl Med. 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35080913/

Venkatesan et al., Hum Gene Ther. 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35722904/

Maihöfer et al., Adv Mater. 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33734514/

Please see the following link for additional information:

http://www.uks.eu/ieo

https://www.osteoarthritis-sinpain.eu/

Job requirements and responsibilities:

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on an exciting project aiming at understanding

and improving osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo. The specific project involves up-to-date methods on histology,

high resolution micro CT imaging, molecular biology and biochemistry in the context of the preclinical validation of

advanced osteoarthritis therapies in a small animal model. This project is part of the EU project SINPAIN “A game

changer for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a cost effective combined advanced therapy to treat knee

osteoarthritis”.

Your academic qualifications:

• Doctoral degree / PhD . Applicants must have a Ph.D and/or M.D. degree. Strong written and verbal skills are

essential

• Language skills (according to GER): English – B2,

What we can offer you:

• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of

teleworking