PhD or Postdoctoral Positions

The López-Schier laboratory at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munich in Germany is seeking creative and highly motivated PhD students or postdoctoral scholars to work within our group of 9 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The working language of the laboratory is English.

Our group focuses on understanding the development, regeneration and function of sensory systems and neuronal control of metabolism. We use the zebrafish as experimental model, and integrate molecular, cellular, behavioural and clinical data. We also have developed new technical approaches to understand organogenesis, including cell-fate acquisition after regeneration from tissue-resident progenitor cells. Mutations in many of the genes that we have identified are responsible for neurological diseases and cancer. Our ultimate goal is to connect our studies of fundamental mechanisms to understand health disorders in humans.

We currently have 4 fully funded openings for the following projects:

1. Cellular and genetic bases of organogenesis, including cell packing and tissue remodelling. This project combines single-cell transcriptional profiling, genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas9 and quantitative live imaging data by light-sheet microscopy. Preference will be given to candidates with theoretical or practical knowledge in cell biology or biophysics.

2. Control of cell number, organ size and proportions. Using state of the art high-resolution cell tracking, optogenetics, genome engineering and machine learning, we attempt to understand how cells self-organize and to predict cellular behavior during the regenerative response after tissue injury. This project is ideal for a candidate with a background in physics or engineering and a good command of computer programming.

3. Neuronal control of metabolism. This project combines transcriptional profiling, genome engineering and neuronal-activity imaging by light-sheet microscopy to understand the neuronal basis of systemic metabolism, and neuronal dysfunction in metabolic syndromes. Preference will be given to candidates with theoretical or practical knowledge in neuroscience, electrophysiology and/or optogenetics.

Qualifications & skills

– University studies in biology-related sciences, physics, engineering or computer science (PhD)

– Ideally having recently completed or about to complete a PhD (Postdoctoral)

– Having published or likely to publish at least one first-author paper in a

first/second tier journal (Postdoctoral)

– Candidates for all position should have a strong inner drive, independence, and willingness to work in a highly interdisciplinary team

– A good command of the English language is essential

Laboratory

The team’s projects are interdisciplinary, and are aimed at understanding the basic rules that allow sensory systems to develop, regenerate and function. We use confocal, spinning-disc and light-sheet microscopy imaging, biochemistry, genome engineering by CRISPR/Cas9, laser nanosurgery, optogenetics, and machine learning.

Environment

The Helmholtz Zentrum in an innovative, well-equipped and scientifically stimulating élite research centre located in the outskirts of Munich, one of the most attractive and innovative major cities in Germany. Situated at the foothills of the Alps, Munich is a cosmopolitan city that has ranked among those with the highest quality of life in Europe.

Contact

Please, apply via electronic mail only, including a cover letter with a short statement of research interests and motivation, a Curriculum Vitae including a list of names and email-addresses for two/three academic references, to:

Dr. Hernán López-Schier

Research Unit Sensory Biology & Organogenesis

Helmholtz Zentrum München
Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1
85764 Neuherberg – Munich, Germany

E-mail: hernan.lopez-schier@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Website: http://www.gsn.uni-muenchen.de/people/faculty/associate/lopez-schier/index.html

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