http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/
PhD student : Cologne, Germany
The Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) is a multidisciplinary center at the University of Cologne providing a forum that brings together physician scientists with basic researchers from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences to perform competitive basic, disease-oriented research. The mission of the CMMC is to advance the understanding of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms as a prelude to improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many common health problems. For further information, please visit www.zmmk.uni-koeln.de
The Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne invites applications of bright and motivated individuals for the Junior Research Group “Developmental Genomics” of Dr. Alvaro Rada-Iglesias.
One PhD student
(65% of a full time employment)
The position is immediately available for 36 months with the possibility of extension. The position is based on the German TV-L salary conditions (65% TV-L13).The CMMC places strong emphasis on gender equality and seeks to increase the proportional representation of women in this field. Applications from female scientists are especially welcomed; suitably qualified women will be given preferential consideration unless other candidates clearly demonstrate superior qualifications. We also welcome applications from disabled candidates, who will also be given preferential consideration over applicants with comparable qualifications.
What we look for:
The ideal candidate should be highly motivated, hardworking and with critical thinking. We preferentially look for candidates with some previous research experience in biochemistry, cellular biology and/or medical genetics. The successful candidate will benefit from joining a multidisciplinary and collaborative scientific group, where he/she will receive training in multiple techniques and disciplines and will be mentored to develop his/her own scientific projects and ideas.
Research overview:
An unforeseen majority (i.e. 70-90%) of genetic variants associated with common human disorders (e.g. cancer, diabetes) occurs outside genes, that is, within the non-coding fraction of the human genome. On the other hand, large-scale studies are demonstrating that the human genome is filled with regulatory sequences, including abundant and relevant transcriptional regulatory elements such as enhancers, which determine when and where genes are expressed. Using orofacial clefts as a paradigm, we are developing an interdisciplinary approach to use enhancer maps to predict and characterize non-coding genetic variants causally associated with these congenital abnormalities, which rank among the most recurrent in humans. Importantly, our strategy should be rather universal and the genetic basis of other human disorders could be similarly uncovered.
Please visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=rada-iglesias and our laboratory website
http://zmmk-ari.uni-koeln.de/Rada-Iglesias_lab___Developmental_genomics/Home.html to learn more about our previous work and interests.
Research Environment:
CMMC along with its partner institutes such as the Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases, Cologne Center for Genomics and Max-Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing research all located in a same campus provides a vibrant scientific community. Therefore, the CMMC´s JRG in “Developmental Genomics” is placed perfectly at an environment where the basic research meets its cutting edge of translational science.
If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Alvaro Rada-Iglesias
aradaigl@uni-koeln.de
Please forward your complete application including CV, a brief statement of scientific interests and two reference letters (in a single pdf document) until 11 April 2014 by e-mail, quoting the reference number e078 to Dr. Alvaro Rada-Iglesias aradaigl@uni-koeln.de
Job details
Employer:Uniklinik Koln
Website:http://www.uk-koeln.de/
Location:50937, Cologne, Germany
Expires:May 17, 2014
Job type:PhD Studentship
Salary:Unspecified
Qualifications:Unspecified
Employment type:Unspecified
Job hours:Unspecified