PhD position: Organelles during aging and longevity (m/f/d)

Organisation/Company

International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz

Department

Institute of Molecular Biology

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Germany

Application Deadline

17 Apr 2024 – 12:00 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering talented, young scientists the chance to work on cutting edge research projects within the open call on “Molecular Mechanisms in Genome Stability & Gene Regulation”. As an IPP PhD student, you will join a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.

Activities and responsibilities

The research group of Katharina Papsdorf offers the following PhD project:

Aging is characterized by the gradual decline of tissue function. However, age progression can be slowed by interventions such as diet. One key component of the diet are lipids, which serve as energy reservoirs, and are also essential to cellular homeostasis as they constitute the building blocks of membranes. In the context of aging, specific lipids are potent modulators of lifespan. For example, monounsaturated fatty acids correlate with human longevity and extend lifespan in C. elegans. However, despite their importance for cellular and organismal homeostasis it remains largely unknown how lipids drive cellular changes underlying aging and if those can be leveraged to promote longevity. Our overarching goal for is to understand how organelles involved in lipid homeostasis influence lifespan.

PhD project: Identification of how lipid droplets impact tissue homeostasis during aging and longevity

The major lipid reservoirs in cells are lipid droplets. These conserved cellular organelles are key for lipid metabolism as they are specialized in storing lipids and they are differentially regulated during aging and disease. We recently discovered the beneficial effect of lipid droplets for longevity especially in the context of monounsaturated fatty acids. However, which mechanism is supported by lipid droplets during longevity remains largely unclear. One exciting possibility is that lipid droplets are beneficial when they accumulate in lipid storage tissues by providing energy during the geriatric stages of life and by sequestering toxic lipids that could damage membranes. To understand how lipid droplets modulate longevity in vivo, the PhD student will use C. elegans lifespan studies in combination with tissue-specific manipulations (via RNAi), metabolomics mass spectrometry, and cell biology including fluorescence microscopy. The project builds on preexisting mutants and protocols to manipulate cellular lipid content as well as on lifespan assays that we are currently executing. The PhD student is expected to perform bioinformatic analysis of gene expression and mass spectrometry datasets supported by IMB’s core facilities and preexisting expertise of the group. Training on all aspects of the project will be provided to support the PhD student and no specific expertise is required other than a strong background in cell biology (molecular biology, biochemistry or related). A high motivation for fundamental biology and excellent teamworking skills are required.

If you are interested in this project, please select Papsdorf (Paps) as your group preference in the IPP application platform.

Qualification profile:

Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!

All you need is:

• Master or equivalent
• Interactive personality & good command of English
• 2 letters of reference

We offer

• Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language
• Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
• Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
• Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis
• A lively community ofmore than 200 PhD students from 44 different countries

For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via our online form, please visit www.imb.de/phd .

The deadline for applications is 17 April 2024. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 1-3 July 2024.

Starting date: 1 August 2024 – 1 January 2025

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Biological sciences

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

International PhD Programme (IPP)

Country

Germany

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.imb.de/phd

Contact

City

Mainz

Website

http://www.imb-mainz.de/PhD

Street

Ackermannweg 4

Postal Code

55128

STATUS: EXPIRED