Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany invites online application for multiple fully funded PhD positions in various research areas. Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible.
1. PhD Position in Motion of Atoms in THz fields
Summary of PhD Positions:
Changes and reactions of matter require the motion of atoms and electrons from initial to final positions. This happens within femtoseconds for atoms and within attoseconds for electron densities. The method of ultrafast electron diffraction allows to visualize such processes in all four dimensions of space and time. This is made possible by the picometer-sized de Broglie wavelength of keV-electrons, resulting in a ‘4D-movie’ of atoms/electrons in motion (see Figures). However, only such dynamics can be probed that can also be initiated. Currently, femtosecond Ti:Sa lasers and their harmonics are used, but these are not well suited to initiate many of the most interesting motions, especially electronic processes. Infrared and terahertz fields are required there.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
2. PhD Position in Experimental physics / Nanophotonics
Summary of PhD Positions:
Nanophotonics has revolutionized optics by controlling light propagation on length scales far below the optical diffraction limit, enabling breakthrough applications in energy harvesting, beam shaping, and few-molecule biodetection. To push the limits of light-matter coupling, the project will combine an emerging class of all-dielectric optical metasurfaces [Science 360, 1105 (2018)] with artificial intelligence (AI) methods for nanophotonic design and data analysis [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 58, 14810 (2019)]. Working at the intersection of nanotechnology, machine learning, and biospectroscopy, the successful applicant will use state-of-the-art computational and experimental infrastructure to realize new optical sensing platforms with broad applications from fundamental biophysics to medical diagnostics.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
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3. 1-2 PhD Position in Optical spectroscopy/ Photocatalysis/ Bionanophotonics
Summary of PhD Positions:
The research at Prof. Feldmann’s Chair (PhoG) focuses on understanding and applying the interaction of tailored nanosystems with light. Our mission is to synthesize novel solution-based semiconductor and metal nanocrystals, which are tailored to provide optimized functionalities specifically addressing applications as efficient light emitters, solar energy converters, sensors as well as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Our major goal is to carry out advanced optical spectroscopy studies to gain a detailed understanding of optically induced charge carrier dynamics such as relaxation, recombination, charge separation, energy transfer and the initiation of photochemical reactions.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
4. PhD Position in Experimental Physics / Nanophotonics
Summary of PhD Positions:
The phenomenon of Faraday effect, broadly used in light diodes (or optical isolators), relies on the fact that light behaves differently when propagating in opposite directions through a material with a nonvanishing Verdet constant. The light unreciprocity in this case comes from the magnetic properties of the Faraday material used in the optical isolator, when under action of an external magnetic field. 1- and 2D waveguides presenting unreciprocal light propagation can be very useful in projecting photonic circuits with new functionalities. Similarly, the design of metasurfaces with unreciprocal light properties can be important in the design of new sensors and platforms for investigating nonlinear phenomena, like lasing. The investigation of this subject paves the way to the study of chiral nanostructures. The project will focus on theoretical studies of light unreciprocity in various kinds of optical structures and on the fabrication and characterization of the most promising ones.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
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5. PhD Position in Experimental Physics / Nanophotonics
Summary of PhD Positions:
Although the use of polymeric platforms in integrated (on-chip) photonic devices is extremely interesting, it is still seldom reported. In fact, there are only a few studies in this direction on structures fabricated by two-photon polymerization, which contrasts to the number of similar studies in semiconductor structures. In this project one aims at fabricating polymeric devices via two-photon polymerization for integrated optics, mainly using the Nanoscribe facility full accessible to the host group. Not only linear optical processes will be exploited, but also nonlinear ones, nevertheless using moderate input/excitation power levels. This is possible due to the high confinement degree of the electromagnetic field and long interaction lengths in the fabricated micro- and nanostructures, as the cases of waveguides and microresonators.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
6. PhD Position in Experimental Physics / Nanophotonics
Summary of PhD Positions:
Nanophotonics has led to a huge progress in understanding of light–matter interaction many approaches have been paving the way to full control of light at the nanoscale. By nanostructuring diverse materials (metal/plasmonic, dielectric, critical media etc…), one aims at nanoscale controlling of amplitude, phase and polarization of the electromagnetic field, possibly leading to diverse application possibilities, like in biosensing, quantum and nonlinear optics, wavefront shaping, data storage and displays. For example, recent progress in dielectric metasurfaces allows the design and fabrication of flat optics devices that show potential to replace conventional bulk optics. One important approach is micro- and nanoscale patterning of nanophotonic systems designed to work at optical frequencies ranging from the UV to the mid-infrared regions results in building blocks which geometries and arrangement can be set or reconfigurable after fabrication.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
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7. 1-2 PhD Position in Plasmonic and Photonic Chemistry
Summary of PhD Positions:
The reactivity of plasmonic systems is deeply influenced by the dynamics and interplay of photons, plasmon-polaritons, carriers, phonons, and molecular states. These degrees of freedom can affect the reaction rates, the product selectivity, or the spatial localization of a chemical reaction. Final understanding of these processes requires the emergence of new techniques that can explore these systems at the single particle level. Moreover, rational design and synthesis of plasmonic colloidal photo and electrocatalysts need to consider all these energy transfer pathways. We are looking for candidates that can help us towards these ends.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
8. PhD Position in Remote sensing of air pollutants
Summary of PhD Positions:
The goal of this PhD projectis to analyze the MAX DOAS data in combination with the additional sensor data from the other instruments in order to analyze the distribution of NO2 in Munich. Additionally, the mobile MAX DOAS will be used on measurement campaigns. Part of the thesis will be organizing new measurement campaign, but also to analyze the data from past campaigns. This includes mobile measurements on the highway, monitoring locations in the outskirts of Munich for comparison with the city center measurements, but also a campaign where we installed the MAX DOAS on a zeppelin. The derived profile information has tobe validated using alternative measurement techniques, e.g. in-situ sensors on a drone.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
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9. PhD Position in Tumor cell dissemination
Summary of PhD Positions:
We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student who will dissect molecular andfunctional aspects of tumor cell dissemination in HNSCC with our group. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor EGFR is a signaling active receptor that is highlyexpressed in HNSCC and that serves as a therapeutic target for adjuvant therapy. Ourgroup reported that EGFR has dual function in HNSCC in that it can induce eitherproliferation or EMT depending on the strength and duration of activation (Pan et al. PLoS Biology 2018). Further, we defined the EMT transcription factor SLUG as a potential regulator of EMT in HNSCC that is activated by EGFR signaling (Pan et al. PLoS Biology 2018; Schinke et al. Molecular Oncology 2021).
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
10. PhD Position in Geography, Hydrology, Geo-information System
Summary of PhD Positions:
Increasing studies are warning that the risk of flooding in coastal megacities is rapidly rising, especially in the fast developing Asia, due to the overlapping effects of climate change and strong urbanization. While different adaptation measures are currently debated by various authorities, getting a detailed understanding of whether, where and how cities are growing within or into hazard-prone areas is an urgent prerequisite for assessing future risk trajectories and informing decision making. It is meanwhile observed that human societies can certainly manage floods’ impacts and learn to live at flood prone areas, i.e., human societies have a capacity of resilience to floods and their impacts. Recent studies indicated that, among others, urban growth models, agent-based models and social hydrological models as well as stakeholder networks are powerful tools to capture both the physical climate changes and the social urbanization effects.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
11. PhD Position in Functional Nanosystems
Summary of PhD Positions:
In our research program we strive to achieve synthetic control over the creation of functional nanostructures and investigate their physical properties. Periodic porous materials such as templated mesoporous materials, metalorganic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks offer a multitude of opportunities to create such nanostructures. This is based on their compositional and topological diversity, the well-defined dimensions of their nanoscale pore systems, and the great variety of possible interface design within the pore system and on the external surface. In addition to the porous material itself, the nanoscale morphology of such materials is of particular interest, as it provides an important tool to impart specific properties and functions.
Application Deadlines: Open until filled
12. 02 PhD Position in Neurology, Stroke Research
Summary of PhD Positions:
Stroke is known to induce pronounced neuroinflammation and infiltration of peripheral immune cells4,5 . Besides the local inflammatory responses in the brain, stroke does also alter the peripheral immune homeostasis6-8. Although neuroinflammation and the role of different cell types are well described, the understanding of peripheral immune alterations needs further investigations. To date, it is known that the peripheral immune alterations appear to be multiphasic. An acute immune activation7 can cause subacute immunosuppression9 and a state of chronic immune alterations challenging comorbidities, such as atherosclerosis8. It is of importance to have reliable surrogate marker to prevent these severe immune reactions, which increase the susceptibility for infections and risk of recurrent ischemic events in stroke patients.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
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13. PhD Position in Drug Delivery
Summary of PhD Positions:
Macromolecular drugs such a DNA, RNA or protein therapeutics promise to revolutionize our ability to treat diseases at the molecular level. However, the efficient and specific delivery of these large biomolecules to specific tissues and cell types is still a largely unsolved problem. Currently, the most promising delivery vehicles are lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), but their ability to specifically deliver drugs to organs other than the liver remains limited1. Here, we plan to develop methods to accelerate the in vivo testing of LNP formulations in preclinical models to more efficiently find organ and cell type specific delivery vehicles.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
14. PhD Position in Molecular Epidemiology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Diabetes mellitus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the 10th edition of the international diabetes federation, it is confirmed that 537 million are affected with diabetes and the figures will rise up to 783 million by 2045. It is a complex multifactorial disease causing widespread microvascular and macrovascular complications. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of these major complications and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. It is estimated that about 40% of patients with diabetes will develop DN. It is diagnosed by serum creatinine levels, albuminuria, and altered glomerular filtration rate. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying DN are unknown but some of the contributing factors include high blood glucose levels, hypertension, high blood lipids, and proteinuria.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
15. PhD Position in Immunology and Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors
Summary of PhD Positions:
Checkpoint inhibition is meanwhile an established treatment strategy for many tumor entities by which the inhibitory signal between PD-1 and PD-L1 is prevented through monoclonal antibodies binding to either PD-1 or PD-L1 (Mantia & McDermott, 2019). Response rates of this clinical application vary (Ribas & Wolchok, 2018), and more than half of patients do not respond. The reason why many patients to not respond is an area of intense debate and research. In our group, we have analyzed the tumor milieu of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for many years. We have identified dysfunction in T and NK cells (Prinz et al. 2012, 2014) as well as uniquely polarized macrophages in RCC tissue (Figel et al. 2011; Brech et al. 2020).
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
16. PhD Position in Deep Learning in the Context of Radiotherapy / Medical Physics
Summary of PhD Positions:
In ion therapy of cancer, beams of protons or heavier ions are used to treat tumors while sparing healthy tissue by exploiting their finite range. Large projects in Germany are attempting to combine ion beams with magnetic resonance image guidance to better distinguish tumors and tissues during irradiation. This brings two challenges: i) dose calculation on MR images and ii) proton transport in the presence of magnetic fields to account for the curved trajectories due to the Lorentz force. Classically i) requires the conversion of MR images into CT images and ii) the use of lengthy Monte Carlo dose calculations. The goal of this project is to bypass both i) and ii) by using deep learning to calculate proton dose distributions directly on MR images by exploiting a large library of pre-calculated Monte Carlo dose distributions in patient anatomies.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
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17. PhD Position in Molecular and Cellular Immunology
Summary of PhD Positions:
In the proposed project we will investigate the expression of Roquin and Regnase proteins as well as their signal-induced inactivation in macrophages. We will determine Roquin bound target mRNAs and find out how they are regulated by altered stability or altered translation efficiency in response to MALT1 signaling induced by C-type lectin receptors. Finally, we will characterize immediate cytokine responses and cellular phenotypes in mice vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), a potent stimulator of Mincle-induced activation of macrophages.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
18. PhD Position in Experimental Cell Therapy
Summary of PhD Positions:
The adoptive cell transfer of antigen-receptor-modified T-lymphocytes/T-cells (Car-T-cells) is a new component of cancer immunotherapy. The patient’s own (autologous) T-lymphocytes are obtained by apheresis. They are then provided with a viral vector (a so-called gene shuttle) with the help of which a gene (the CAR) is introduced into the T cells. This gene recognizes a specific cell surface antigen, e.g. B. CD19 on malignant B cells, and induces cell death of the CD19-positive tumor cells. In addition to the desired anti-tumor effect, however, the procedure has some very dangerous side effects such as uncontrolled cytokine release. New, controllable vectors are intended to make these side effects manageable.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
19. PhD Position in Neuroimmune Cardiovascular
Summary of PhD Positions:
Our group recently reported that atherosclerosis is directly connected to the peripheral nervous system and the brain (Mohanta et al. 2022, Nature). It came to our attention several years ago that the peripheral nervous system uses the adventitia as their major conduit to reach all tissues. Following this line of reasoning, we now obtained proof-of-principle evidence that the nervous system can sense and possibly affect atherosclerosis via proxy actors, i.e. immune cell aggregates in the adventitia. We recently identified and functionally delineated interactions between nerves in the adventitia, artery tertiary lymphoid organs (ATLOs) and arteries that we termed neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces (NICIs) (Mohanta et al. Nature 2022; Mohanta et al. 2014, Circulation Research; Mohanta et al. 2022, Circulation Research invited review, in preparation).
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
20. PhD Position in Atherosclerosis Immunity, Cardiovascular Neuroimmunology
Summary of PhD Positions:
A fundamental unresolved issue in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is whether the advanced and clinically significant disease is associated with the generation of arterial wall-specific autoantigens recognized by autoimmune T cells or B cells (Wang et al. 2022, Zhang et al. 2022, Nature Cardiovascular Research, in revision). Our group has proposed a hypothesis how such autoimmune lymphocytes may be generated (Mohanta et al. 2014; Circulation Research; Mohanta et al. 2022, Nature; Yin et al. Nature Medicine 2019). Accordingly, we have begun to isolate germinal center B2 cells from artery tertiary lymphoid organs (ATLOs) that develop in the adventitia, i.e. the outer connective tissue coat of arteries, using aged ApoE-/- mice as the experimental model. In this challenging project, scholarship recipients will be part of a larger group of scientists to identify atherosclerosis-specific autoantigens using state-of-the art molecular biology toolkits inscluding single cell transcriptome analyses, mass spectrometry, protein biochemical tools in an international collaborative effort.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
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21. 02 PhD Position in Vascular Biology, microRNAs
Summary of PhD Positions:
Macrophages and endothelial cells play a key role in forming atherosclerotic plaques. We generated reporter mice expressing a fluorescent protein in these two cell types. We will analyze migration, apoptosis, efferocytosis, and crystal formation of macrophages by confocal imaging. Moreover, we determine the repair of the luminal surface of plaques by endothelial cells. Cell-specific deletion of miRNAs or the miRNA-producing enzyme Dicer in these mice will allow us to study their role in atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
22. PhD Position in Regenerative Medicine
Summary of PhD Positions:
This project aims to study cell-matrix interaction of ASCs in a cell culture and animal (rat) model to gather further understanding of osteo- and chondrogenesis of stem cells. ASCs will be isolated from liposuction patients of our department and cultured for the experiments. The following methods will be used: Animal model, Cell culture, PCR, histologic staining, fluorescence staining, ELISA, Western Blot and statistical analysis.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
23. PhD Position in Surgery /Transplantation Medicine
Summary of PhD Positions:
Adrenergic modulation of the immune system is a well-known and widely investigated research area. In the field of transplantation, however, the effect of adrenergic signaling on the immune system in the setting of solid organ transplantation is insufficiently investigated. So far it is known that β2-adrenergic receptor signaling impairs Th1-cell differentiation and function in a cAMP-dependent way, leading to inhibition of cell proliferation and decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ. CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg cells play a key role in the regulation of immune responses and are essential for maintenance of self-tolerance and are known to express β2-adrenergic receptors. Recent data suggest that sympathetic fibers are able to regulate Treg-cell suppressive activity in a positive manner through β-adrenergic mediated signaling.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
24. PhD Position in Tumor-Neurobiology
Summary of PhD Positions:
In our tumor-neurobiology lab at the department of General, Visceral- und Transplantation-surgery we are interested on the aspect of the autonomous nervous system on several gastrointestinal and mesenchymal solid tumor entities in vitro and in vivo. In this particular project we aim to investigate the influence of the sympathetic and parasysmpathetic nervous system in pancreatic cancer metastasis and possible mechanisms in metastatic organotropism. Thereby we investigate effects on epithelial-to mesenchymal transition, invasion and migration applying 2D and 3D (co-)culture techniques. Using these state of the art methods the role of the autonomous nervous system on interactions of cancer cells within the tumor-microenvironment and on dissemination and metastasis formation will be investigated.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
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25. PhD Position in Proteomics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry
Summary of PhD Positions:
Classically viewed as a lysosomal degradation process, emerging evidence implicates autophagy in secretion, including unconventional secretion of proteins lacking signal peptides, extracellular vesicle production, and conventional secretion of inflammatory cytokines. These processes, collectively termed secretory autophagy, broaden our fundamental understanding of the autophagy pathway in non-cell autonomous control of cell fate decisions and tissue microenvironments in healthy and disease states. Despite a proposed role of LC3/GABARAP our understanding of secretory autophagy remains rudimentary. This project will combine highly complementary proteomics and imaging methods to decipher the repertoire of proteins secreted via autophagy, dissect the underlying mechanisms of autophagy-dependent secretion and decode the functional importance of secretory autophagy in microglia.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
26. PhD Position in Neuroscience / Neuropharmacology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Microglia constantly monitor and interact with synapses in the resting state. Upon activation, microglia modulate synaptic plasticity and function by eliminating particular subsets of synaptic structures (e.g. dendritic spines). We previously observed that upon activating microglial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), microglia alter morphology and start excessively engulfing synaptic materials, causing synaptic loss and cognitive decline in wild-type (WT) mice (see Shi et al., Nat Neurosci 2022). As a target of interest, ligand-driven modulation of TSPO has been extensively studied, and previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of these selected TSPO ligands in mouse models and clinical trials.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
27. PhD Position in Chronobiology, Circadian Medicine, Proteomics, Cancer, PDAC
Summary of PhD Positions:
The circadian clock is an endogenous and self-sustainable timing system that drives daily cycles ofalmost all physiological and behavioral functions in the body. Circadian disruption by genetic causesor misalignment with environmental cues results in diverse diseases, including cancer. However,and despite this general notion, several recent studies showed that certain cancer types such asmelanoma, glioblastoma and lymphoma still preserve tumor intrinsic clocks. Furthermore, thosecancers showed improved drug responses and reduced toxicity/adverse effects after time-of-daydesigned therapies. Additionally, time-of-day could not only be playing a role in cancer treatmentoutcomes but also in cancer detection and monitoring as it has been recently shown that breastcancer circulating tumor cells in patients and mice reach maximum numbers and highest metastaticpotential during the resting/sleep phase.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
28. PhD Position in Basic Research in Biology / Medicine
Summary of PhD Positions:
The aim of the project is to investigate a specific subset of protein degradation pathways, so called N-degron pathways, in which N-termini of proteins are recognized as degradation signals.
Application Deadlines: 15 December 2022
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29. PhD Position in Genetics
Summary of PhD Positions:
Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia can live endosymbiotically inside specialized cells in the roots of legume plants. No other living cell-type can host rhizobia. Despite the uniqueness of this process and its importance for agriculture, our molecular understanding of the cellular adaptations required to host rhizobia inside root nodule cells remains limited. By comparing the transcriptomes of root nodules that can and cannot host rhizobia, we identified candidate genes that are likely to mediate this process. Among these, genes with functions associated with cell wall plasticity and cell expansion were specifically upregulated in infected nodules. In this project, we will investigate the function of these genes and evaluate if they play a role in hosting endosymbiotic bacteria.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
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30. PhD Position in Plant Sciences
Summary of PhD Positions:
All cellular organisms tightly control their inner pH and ion composition to ensure proper function of vital biochemical reactions. In eukaryotes this includes several distinct sub-cellular compartments, adding further complexity to the system. Internal homeostasis is maintained via transport proteins embedded in the organellar membranes. Our group researches the chloroplast, an organelle of endosymbiotic origin and the site of eukaryotic photosynthesis. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we have shown that the loss of two inner envelope (IE) membrane homologous K+/H+ antiporters (AtKEA1 and AtKEA2) affects organelle biogenesis and photosynthetic performance. Our recent studies suggest defects in rRNA maturation and plastid gene expression (PGE) as the main cause for the developmental effects but the mechanistic link between the function of plastid ion transporters and the intricate gene expression machinery in the stroma remains unclear.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
31. PhD Position in Developmental Neurobiology
Summary of PhD Positions:
This project will provide mechanistic insight into human brain malformations caused by mutations in a beta-tubulin gene, TUBB2A, by exploiting advanced human stem cell-based methods.The human cerebral cortex is one of the most complex biological structures in biology. Its development involves a carefully orchestrated sequence of events that can be divided into three major stages: i) the generation of neurons; ii) the migration of neurons from their place of birth into the developing cerebral cortex; and iii) and the maturation and differentiation of neurons forming functional circuits.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
32. PhD Position in Microbiology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Transporters of the solute/sodium symporter (SSS) family transport sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and ions in cells of all domains of life. However, SSS proteins also form domains in prokaryotic signal transduction systems. The physiological significance and molecular mechanism of function of SSS domains in these systems are not known. Given that covalent binding between a transporter and a signal transduction system has emerged during evolution and has become widespread in the domain of bacteria, including Proteobacteria, this project focuses on elucidating the functional significance and underlying molecular mechanisms of the interactions between the SSS domain and signal transduction system.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
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33. PhD Position in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Cells are the elementary units of all life. Each cell contains numerous organelles that are essential for proper cell function, e.g. ribosomes for RNA into protein translation, a Golgi apparatus for protein modification, or mitochondria for energy production. One organellar machinery that is both essential for intracellular trafficking and degradation but also serves as an important signaling hub is the endolysosomal system. Endolysosomes are key for human health and disruption of endolysosomal function including its central role in intracellular Ca2+ signaling is strongly associated with disease pathology, affecting or causing neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases, cancer and immunological diseases, metabolic, lung, or infectious diseases.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
34. PhD Position in Evolutionary Biology
Summary of PhD Positions:
We are generally interested in the evolution of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that determine sex-specific gene regulation. Animals display a wide variety of reproductive modes. While sexual reproduction is widespread and well-known, with this project, we aim to better understand the evolution of reproductive modes where males are actually absent. We will use mathematical modelling to understand different forms of parthenogenesis. Under which circumstances can this form of reproduction evolve and be maintained? In arthropods, parthenogenesis can be induced by endosymbionts such as Wolbachia that can perform different reproductive manipulations on its hosts. One example is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) where Wolbachia manipulates the sperm of infected males.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
35. PhD Position in Systematic Botany & Mycology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Precise distribution data are necessary to explain the historical biogeography of organisms and to uncover the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped their diversification, but also to predict future developments in a drastically changing world. The distribution of microorganisms, such as the ecologically and economically important group of unicellular dinophytes, reflects their dispersal ability and potential to establish new populations. Data on the distribution of these organisms, however, are both sparse and outdated. Molecular methods (including high throughput sequencing) have become the tool of choice to resolve identification issues. The successful candidate will inventory freshwater dinophyte species compositions of some 50 lakes in Bavaria, using rRNA amplicon sequencing.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
36. PhD Position in Biology of Reproduction
Summary of PhD Positions:
Reproduction is central to the capacity for species to maintain stable, healthy populations. Simply, if life can not reproduce, it will cease to exist. Over the past several decades, there has been a shift towards a “throw-away society” that is characterised by the excessive consumption of short-lived and single-use products, and a concomitant accumulation of environmental pollution and toxicants. Over this same timespan, there has been an alarming increase in the rates of reproductive dysfunctions and gamete abnormalities, reductions in gamete production, and altered embryo development in humans, animals and plants. This poor reproductive health not only reduces individual fecundity but, if widespread, species survival.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
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37. PhD Position in Microbiology
Summary of PhD Positions:
Multidrug resistant bacteria and lagging development of novel antibiotics were the cause of >17 million deaths in 2006.1 As pointed out by the world health organization (WHO) new strategies against drug resistant bacterial infections are urgently required (www.who.int/news/item/27-02-2017-who-publishes-list-of-bacteria-for-which-new-antibiotics-are-urgently-needed). Bacterial ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) import systems have a huge potential as targets for antibiotic development due to their involvement in a numerous biological processes, their extracellular localization and the absence of homologous proteins in the mammalian hosts.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
38. PhD Position in Genetics
Summary of PhD Positions:
Plants mostly grow in dense communities, together with plants from the same or a different species. Because resources are scarce, plants must compete with their neighbours for nutrients, space, and water. Some plant species, including important crops such as rice, release chemical compounds to inhibit the growth of neighbours and to defend themselves against various pests. Upon perceiving a chemical trigger, rice plants produce and release a particular type of diterpenes, momilactone A and B, that act against fungal pathogens as well as against non-kin plant species (Serra Serra et al. 2021). In this project, our goal is to identify the molecular trigger(s), the mechanism by which they are perceived, and the signalling cascade that ultimately leads to the enhanced production and release of the compounds.
Application Deadlines: 30 November 2022
