Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d) in the field of Life Sciences with a focus on Nitrosative Stress Response of Endothelial Cell Barriers in Organs-on-Chips

With more than 16,000 students and 3,800 employees, the Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of Germany’s leading institutes of technology. It stands for strategic and performance-oriented thinking and acting, relevant research, committed teaching, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to the economy and society. We consistently advocate for family friendliness and equal opportunities.

Our research focuses are engineering for health, metrology, mobility, and city of the future. Strong engineering and natural sciences are our core disciplines. These are closely interconnected with economics, social and educational sciences and humanities.

Our campus is located in the midst of one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe. We work successfully together with over 20 research institutions in our neighborhood as we do with our international partner universities.

Starting from October 1^st or as soon as possible thereafter, we are looking for a

Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d) in the field of Life Sciences with a focus on Nitrosative Stress Response of Endothelial Cell Barriers in Organs-on-Chips

(EG 13 TV-L, 75%)

The position is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for a period of 3 years. The successful applicant will be given the opportunity pursue a doctorate in the Life Sciences.

The research: The Electric Sight project is aimed at better understanding how different reactive oxygen and nitrogen stressors (RONS) – hallmarks of a wide range of disorders from stroke to cancer – affect the integrity of endothelial cell barriers, particularly in terms of distinct tight junction proteins and localization. We are also interested in how these damage patterns then correlate with immune or cancer cell transmigration, as well as how the endothelial barrier damage can be prevented. The project is a close collaboration with a second Ph.D. (Prof. Iordania Constantinou’s group) who is developing an Organ-on-a-Chip with integrated real-time sensors for these cell systems.

About us: We are a highly interdisciplinary, dynamic, and international team with the goal of solving life science challenges using microsystems tools. The group is based at the Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), where research focuses on inexpensive, tailor-made medicines and medical devices. It brings together around 100 scientists from diverse institutes & disciplines across the region in a state-of-the-art, collaborative environment – including around 10 researchers from our Institute of Microtechnology (IMT).

Your tasks

• You will carry out research on the Electric Sight project
• You will publish research findings and participate in national and international conferences
• You will be involved in teaching at the University (preparation and implementation of courses, supervision of students’ work) as well as operational activities at PVZ and IMT

Your Qualifications

• Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a related field such as biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, biophysics, biochemistry, …
• Practical experience with mammalian cell culture (ideally stem cell and/or endothelial culture)
• Interest also in interdisciplinary and collaborative work to combine biology with microsystems
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, high drive, motivation, and independence
• Good communication skills, as well as fluency in oral & written English (German optional)

We offer

• Work on exciting future-oriented research topics in an inspiring work environment as part of the university community
• A vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere with lots of intercultural offers and international cooperations
• Pay in accordance with the collective agreement TV-L (for this position with E13 75% starting at approximately € 41 000 (gross) / year, including a special payment at the end of the year as well as a supplementary benefit in the form of a company pension, comparable to a company pension in the private sector) including 30 days’ vacation per year
• Flexible working and part-time options and a family-friendly university culture, awarded the “Family-friendly university” audit since 2007
• Special continuing education programs for young scientists, a postdoc program, as well as other offerings from the Central Personnel Development Department and sports activities.

Further notes

We welcome applicants of all nationalities. At the same time, we encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Please attach a proof of disability to your application. We are also working on the fulfilment of the Central Equality Plan based on the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungs-gesetz—NGG) and strive to reduce under-representation in all areas and positions as defined by the NGG. Therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome in this case.

The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law. Further information on data protection can be found in our data protection regulations at www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerung-bewerbungen. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Deadline for applications is July 27

Are you interested? Please send your application, preferably via email, to Dr. Thomas E Winkler (thomas.winkler@tu-braunschweig.de) with “app-ES” in the subject line, as a single PDF file including:

• a motivation letter (max. 2 pages) on why you are interested in this specific position, and why you are the right person to fill it
• a full curriculum vitae, including contact details for at least 2 references

Mailed applications are also accepted care of Sabine Kral-Aulich, Institut für Mikrotechnik, Alte Salzdahlumer Straße 203, D-38124 Braunschweig

from: 25.06.2024
valid until: 27.07.2024