(Reference Code: PD JDRF) To join our Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)-funded beta cell biology network, we are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist working in the group of Stefan Kubicek (CeMM, Vienna), co-supervised by Jacob Hecksher-Sorensen (Hagedorn Institute, Copenhagen). We aim at generating insulin-producing beta cells from other cell types (Collombat et al. Cell 2009) by targeting chromatin, signaling pathways and master regulatory transcription factors with small-molecules (Fomina, Kubicek et al. PNAS 2010, Kubicek et al PNAS 2012). The identification of chemical compounds promoting such conversion could open new avenues towards an improved treatment of type I diabetes: we will therefore use several approaches aimed at discovering small molecules able to activate Pax4 expression and/or inhibit Arx activities. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Establishing and maintaining cell culture conditions for human and murine pancreatic cell lin! es and primary islets of Langerhans; - Engineering these cells for the inducible overexpression and knock-down of master regulatory transcription factors and chromatin modifying enzymes; - Network analysis of the effects of modulating the levels of master regulatory transcription factors and chromatin modifying enzymes in pancreatic cells by transcriptomics, proteomics, and genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-Seq); - Establishing cell based and biochemical assays for the discovery of small molecules on our state-of-the-art robotic high throughput and high content screening platform (including automated confocal microscope, plate reader, liquid handling workstation, plate washer, dispensers); - Identification and characterization of small molecules and signaling pathways that modulate protein stability and activities of ARX and PAX4; - Data management and analysis; REQUIREMENTS AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a relate! d field; - previous experience with chromatin, pancreatic, and! chemica l biology; - high accuracy and reliability; - basic computer skills; - excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in an international team; - good written and oral communication skills in English; APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT: a detailed letter of motivation and curriculum vitae, including the contact details of the PhD supervisor and two additional referees to application@cemm.at; Please indicate the reference code “PD JDRF” in the subject line. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 October 2012. CeMM is proud to be ranked as the best European place to work in Academia, according to a recent survey by The Scientist that was published on August 1, 2012. Internationally CeMM appears at the fourth place. The survey ranks academic as well as personal satisfaction in the working environment and has been carried out for the last 10 years by the journal. http://the-scientist.com/2012/08/01/best-places-to-work-academia-2012; For more information please visit the CeMM website: www.cemm.at Anita Ender application@cemm.at CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Vienna, Austria Ansprechpartner: Anita Ender, application@cemm.at