Vacancies

September 2023

Ph.D. Position available in the Department of Cellular Neurophysiologie at Saarland University (Germany)

Who we are: We are an ambitious and successful group studying the cellular mechanisms of exocytosis using high-end microscopy techniques. We offer exiting research, state of the art equipment, and an international environment. We are part of the ATTACK consortium funded by the European Research Commission (ERC) (https://www.attack-cancer.eu/). As such we work in a highly collaborative environment.

What we do: We work at the interface between immunology and neuroscience by studying the mechanism of exo- and endocytosis in a variety of cell types. In particular, we investigate the cellular mechanisms of lytic granule (LG) exocytosis in cytotoxic T cells (CTL) using highend microscopy techniques (STED, SIM, TIRFM, confocal microscopy and electron microscopy), genetic engineering methods and FACS. See doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28596-y and
10.3389/fimmu.2023.1177670 for latest publications on the subject; for more information visit our website: https://cipmm.uni-saarland.de/index.php/en/physiology/cell-neuro/cell-neuroresearch

Your role: CTL contain two different LG that release a cocktail of cytotoxic proteins to kill target cells such as cancer cells. While in the first type of LG the contained proteins are soluble in the second type they are found in aggregates surrounded by a sugar shell called SMAPs. Since both types of LG have different morphology and content our hypothesis is that their release mechanism should be different. You will investigate this hypothesis, which will place your work in the center of our ATTACK project.

Your profile: Academic qualification: a recently completed Master degree in Immunology, Physiology, Pharmacology or any Biology related disciplines.
Skills: You should 1. have a background in cell culture, microscopy, and/or other immunology techniques: 2. be disposed to work with laboratory animals; 3. have a high degree of resilience and commitment to science (mandatory); 4. be fluent in English (mandatory).

What we can offer you:
Your employment, salary and employee benefits comply with the German pay agreement (German TV-L). The position is available immediately and will be for three years. After completion of your thesis, a Ph.D. degree will be awarded.

Please send your application with a complete CV with transcripts of your certificates with the grades, a motivation letter and the addresses of two referees as a single pdf until Sept. 30th 2023 to: Dr. Ute Becherer; E-mail: ute.becherer@uks.eu

Employment start date: as soon as possible

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