For a European Union funded project on cellular and molecular mechanisms of arrhythmia, we seek a highly motivated student for a PhD project, starting immediately, for up to 4 years. Using advanced methods for gene targeting and transgene construction, candidate mutations inducing muscle arrhythmia will be introduced in the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, optogenetic methods, using e.g. Channelrhodopsin to photoinduce arrhythmia, will be used.
A university degree (Diploma, Master) in molecular biology, biology, biochemistry, or physiology is required. Solid experience in molecular biology methods is a prerequisite, previous experience with C. elegans, as well as with “recombineering” methods, is highly welcome. For more information, see: EMBO J (2005) 24: 2566; Curr. Biol. (2005) 15: 2279; Nature (2007) 446: 633; Nat. Meth. (2008) 5: 895; EMBO J (2009) doi:10.1038/emboj.2009.204; and http://www.biochem.uni-frankfurt.de/gottschalk/index.html.
Send (no later than September 11th) CV, description of research experience and interests, certificates, and references to A. Gottschalk, Goethe-University, Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter N220, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany; a.gottschalk@em.uni-frankfurt.de.