PhD student – Biomedical Research Laboratory

(We are targeting applicants of all genders)
 Part Time (26h/week) | limited to 1 year with possibilty of extension | Announcement number: 783-2024

The position on the project titled “Combination of autophagy enhancers and antioxidants for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH)” is to be filled in the Biomedical Research Laboratory in Medical Clinic I by December 1, 2024 in the group of Prof. Piiper. 

Our research group is part of the Medical Clinic I at the University Hospital Frankfurt under the direction of Prof. Dr. Zeuzem as a leading international expert in the field of hepatology and gastroenterology as well as associated oncological diseases. With extensive work already published on chronic hepatitis and improvement of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment and diagnosis, the group of Prof. Piiper now aims at better understanding the pathogenesis leading to the development of HCC on patients with fatty liver. Whereas benign liver steatosis is not associated with increased risk of HCC, it regularly progresses to its inflammatory and more severe form, known as MASH, which drives tumorigenesis. Therefore, understanding changes in hepatocyte biology during MASH progression holds great potential value for understanding malignant transformation. Collectively, the proposed project aims to unravel a critical role of post-translational modifications in MASH, while validating a novel treatment for this disease.

Your role

• Working with experimental animal models (mice)
• LC-MS/MS detection of post translational modifications (PTM)
• Protein and nucleic acid isolation from cell culture and mouse tissue, qPCR analysis and Western blot analysis
• Histology and confocal fluorescence microscopy
• Quantification of imaging data, quality control of data sets
• Statistical analysis and evaluation

Who you are

• You have completed a university degree (master/diploma) in the fields of biology, human biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry, pharmacy, or comparable.
• You are reliable, committed, a team player and have a high level of self-motivation.
• You have good written and spoken English skills.
• Due to legal regulations, valid proof of measles immunity / measles vaccination is required.

What we offer

• Conferences: Assisting to conferences will be encouraged
• Collective agreement: Attractive salary based on a collective agreement with an annual special payment, position will be funded until completion of the doctoral thesis
• Mobility: Free public transport in all Hessen (Free State Ticket Hessen)
• Campus: Our attractive university hospital campus offers a modern cafeteria, various cafes, and opportunities to rest in numerous green spaces. A walk on the riverside of the Main offers relaxation during breaks
• Work-Life-Balance: Part-time employment is possible, we offer childcare in our daycare center (if you have any questions, please contact UKF-Familienservice), child care during holidays
• Health Promotion: Benefit from our attractive health offers. We offer regular online and face-to-face courses on nutrition, relaxation, sports and exercise.
• Professional development: Internal and external training for your professional development
• Any questions? Many answers can be found in our FAQs for new employees. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Women are underrepresented in these positions at the University Hospital Frankfurt. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Disabled applicants are preferred if they have the same personal and professional qualifications.

Join our team

Use the time until October 20, 2024 to apply. Please submit your online application including a possible starting date and your salary expectations. For further information regarding the position and project, please contact Prof. Dr. Dr. Piiper via mail: piiper@med.uni-frankfurt.de or via phone: +49 69 6301 87667 or contact Dr. Alcober-Boquet via mail: alcoberboquet@med.uni-frankfurt.de or via phone +49 69 6301 87704.