PhD Student (f/m/x) in Metabolism and Epigenetics

Helmholtz Zentrum München is a research center with the mission to dis cover personalized medical solutions for the pre vention and therapy of environ mentally triggered diseases and promote a healthier society in a rapidly changing world.

The Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (Helmholtz-Institut für Metabolismus-, Adipositas- und Gefäßforschung, HI-MAG) at the University of Leipzig, aims at uncovering the molecular underpinnings of adipose tissue dysfunction to enable precision therapies for obesity and its comorbidities, like metabolic and vascular disturbances, using a clinical translational approach. The institute is part of the Helmholtz Diabetes Center and closely linked to the metabolic research activities of the Faculty of Medicine Leipzig.

The YIG "Vascular Epigenetics", headed by Dr. Bilal Sheikh, elucidates the molecular mechanisms that underpin the complex interplay between metabolic, lifestyle and epigenetic factors. The group focuses on these themes in the context of vascular function and vascular disease. In close partnership with the University Hospital in Leipzig, we aim to translate our discoveries into effective therapies against vascular dysfunction in a variety of pathologies.

Your mission

The Vascular Epigenetics group at HI-MAG in Leipzig is now recruiting a PhD student. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work on one or more exciting projects that investigate the relationship between metabolism, epigenetics and vascular function. The projects will involve dissecting molecular mechanisms and phenotypic changes in animal models using stateof-the-art techniques such as single cell technologies (10x genomics), next-generation sequencing, chromatin analyses and mass spectrometry based metabolomics. In addition, clinical human samples will be available for translational research.

Your qualifications

The ideal applicant should be highly motivated, have good communication skills and be a quick learner. You will be expected to work in a team together with highly motivated young scientists.

The applicant requires:

• Exceptional grades in Master’s and Bachelor’s programs
• Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory
• Background in vascular cell culture techniques, stem cell cultures, epigenetic analyses and bioinformatics would be helpful, although not essential

What we offer you

• goal-orientated professional development
• compatibility of private life & work
• flexible working hours, flexitime, without core times
• 30 days vacation per year
• in-house health management
• elder care
• company pension scheme
• corporate benefits offer

This position also provides the opportunity to build specialist knowledge and collect significant professional experience, both of which will help advance your scientific career.

Remuneration and social benefits are based on the collective wage agreement for public-sector employees at federal level (EG 13 50% TV EntgO Bund). In addition, there is also the possibility of granting an allowance amounting to 15% if the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The position is (initially) limited to three years, but under certain circumstances, an extension can be arranged.

To promote diversity, we welcome applications from talented people regard less of cultural back ground, nationality, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, physical abilities, religion and age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.

Curious?

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Bilal Sheikh, e-mail: bilal.sheikh@helmholtzmuenchen.de.

Your application should include:

• A motivation letter covering research interests
• Full curriculum vitae
• Certificates of university degrees, academic transcripts with grades in each subject
• At least two reference letters

Helmholtz Zentrum München

Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)

Helmholtz-Institut für Metabolismus-, Adipositas- und Gefäßforschung (HI-MAG)

Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27

04103 Leipzig