PhD student (f/m/d) Cell Biology of Neurodegeneration

Location

Göttingen | Germany

Job description

The research group -Cell Biology of Neurodegeneration- headed by Dr. C. A.
Boecker is offering a position for a

PhD student (f/m/d)

3 years, Part-time (25 h/week) | salary according to TV-L

The University Medical Center Göttingen is a tertiary care center and offers great development potential. Its 7,900 employees work in over 65 departments and facilities to provide top-quality patient care, excellent research and modern teaching. Göttingen, “City of Science-, located near the center of Germany, the University Medical Center Göttingen is embedded in the city-s attractive network of scientific research facilities.

We are looking for a PhD student (f/m/d) to join our team and support our work
investigating the role of LRRK2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson-s disease. The project is fully funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation and scheduled to start on April 1st, 2024. We will investigate how hyperphosphorylation of RAB GTPases by pathogenic hyperactivation of LRRK2 affects the turnover of autophagic cargo, and how this may contribute to the neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson-s disease.

LRRK2 mutations are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson-s disease and lead to pathogenic hyperactivation of LRRK2 kinase, resulting in RAB hyperphosphorylation. However, it is currently unknown how increased levels of phospho-RABs cause the neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson-s disease. This project will use advanced light microscopy techniques to investigate in primary neurons and astrocytes how LRRK2-mediated RAB hyperphosphorylation affects organelle degradation through autophagy, a pathway essential for cellular health and with strong links to Parkinson-s disease.

Selected previous work:
Boecker, C.A., Goldsmith, J., Dou, D., Cajka, G.G., and Holzbaur, E.L.F. (2021). Increased LRRK2 kinase activity alters neuronal autophagy by disrupting the axonal transport of autophagosomes. Current Biology, 1–15. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.061.

Dou, D., Smith, E.M., Evans, C.S., Boecker, C.A.*, and Holzbaur, E.L.F.* (2023). Regulatory imbalance between LRRK2 kinase, PPM1H phosphatase, and ARF6 GTPase disrupts the axonal transport of autophagosomes. Cell Reports 42. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112448. *Contributed equally

Your tasks:

• investigate the pathophysiology of LRRK2-mediated Parkinson-s disease using primary cell culture, biochemical experiments, and live-imaging microscopy
• design and conduct experiments
• record, analyze and present experimental data
• publication of results in international, peer-reviewed journals

Your profile:

• master's degree (or equivalent) in biology, neuroscience or equivalent discipline
• willingness to learn about new techniques and scientific fields, intrinsic motivation and independency to contribute new ideas to the project
• team player and openness for collaboration
• experience in fluorescence microscopy, cellular biology and biochemistry is desirable, but not mandatory

Our offer:

• interesting job in a motivated and open-minded young team
• training in state of the art live-imaging microscopy
• careful and qualified training and support for the new challenge
• work on unravelling the pathophysiology of a devastating neurodegenerative disease currently without causal treatment options
• salary according to the German salary scale TV-L E13 65 %

We ware looking forward to hearing from you!

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit your application including a cover letter and CV preferably via e-mail and as a single PDF file.

The University Medical Center Göttingen takes flexible account of the individual design of working hours at the workplace. It is interested in implementing the wishes of its employees as far as possible. If you are interested in this job and have specific questions about working hours, please contact us.

The University Medical Center Göttingen is committed to professional equality. We therefore seek to increase the proportion of under-represented genders. Applicants with disabilities and equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment.

We look forward to receiving your application by 03/15/2024:

University Medical Center Göttingen
Klinik für Neurologie
Dr. C. A. Boecker
Leiter der Forschungsgruppe Zellbiologie der Neurodegeneration
D-37099 Göttingen
Phone: +49 (0)551 3967914
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web:

Contact person
Dr. C. A. Boecker

Please send your application only via e-mail as a PDF-file.

Travel and application fees cannot be refunded or transferred.

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