Our Emmy Noether research group at the department of cell- and developmental biology at the LMU Biocenter in Martinsried/Munich offers a PhD position in cell biology starting at the next possible date. Our group is interested in the molecular mechanisms that control cell division. During the last step of cell division, a process called cytokinesis, the mother cell splits into two daughter cells. When the chromosomes segregate in anaphase a contractile actin-myosin ring assembles underneath the plasma membrane. Contractile ring formation has to be spatially and temporally coordinated with chromosome segregation to ensure that the genomic content is properly distributed. Cytokinesis failure results in tetraploidy and supernumerary centrosomes causing multipolar spindles and oncogenic transformations. The aim of the PhD project is to delineate the molecular pathways that control cytokinesis in time and space. In our research group we combine the advantages of both the nematode C. elegans and tissue culture cells. As our main approach we use quantitative live cell microscopy since it provides the high temporal and spatial resolution required to study such a dynamic process like cytokinesis. In addition to live cell microscopy we apply a broad range of cell biological techniques including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and screening approaches. Our research group is part of the cell- and developmental biology department, which not only offers high-end instrumentation and laboratory equipment but also a highly interactive and international research environment.
We are searching for highly motivated applicants with a strong interest in fundamental questions of cell biology. Applicants should have excellent knowledge of cell and molecular biology and hold a master/diploma degree in life science.
Please send your application (CV, resumee, contact information of two referees) until 19.03.2018 to Dr. Esther Zanin, Lehrstuhl für Zell- und Entwicklungsbiologie B02. 009B, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried or zanin@bio.lmu.de. For more information: http://www.cellbiology.bio.lmu.de/research_groups/zanin/index.html