Mechanobiology in Epithelial
3D Tissue Constructs
Department Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Job site: Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University
Description of the position: PhD position
Job description: Our profile
Our focus lies on the understanding of the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a frequent inflammatory lung disease with poor prognosis and no pharmacological cure. We have developed several cutting-edge models to study pulmonary inflammation, including the isolated perfused lung, precision cut lung slices and a mouse intensive care unit. Our laboratories are very well equipped for all standard molecular biological methods and in vivo experiments in rodents. Our basic research is highly interdisciplinary and involves life scientists, physicians and engineers. We put great value in teamwork and excellent supervision.     

Your tasks
You will be part of the DFG-funded graduate school Mechanobiology in Epithelial 3D Tissue Constructs (MEƎT; me3t.rwth-aachen.de) and participate in workshops and advanced trainings. In project C2 ‘Mechanically induced switches in the resolution of inflammation’, you will investigate the role of cyclic stretch on macrophage polarization and the consequences for resolution of inflammation. This is a pressing open question in mechanically ventilated ARDS patients. You will isolate and cultivate primary cells and subject them to cyclic stretch, in close collaboration with the Institute of Complex Systems 7 at the FZ Jülich. You will perform manifold downstream analyses, including surface antigen characterization by flow cytometry, gene and protein expression profiling. Finally, the project should be complemented by in vivo experiments in the mouse intensive care unit.
The applicant must be accepted as a Dr. rer. nat. candidate at the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences of the RWTH Aachen University.
Requirements / Your profile: Your profile
You have completed your studies in biology, biochemistry or biotechnology very successfully with a M-Sc. degree. You intend to obtain a doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) on a highly relevant topic. You are highly interested in biomedical basic research and have sound knowledge in the fields of molecular biology and immunology. Further, you should have practical skills in molecular biological standard methods as PCR, immunoblot, flow cytometry, microscopy and cell culture and show interest in in vivo experiments.
Moreover, you are highly motivated to work in a vivid interdisciplinary scientific field. You distinguish yourself by endurance, self-reliance and by an excellent capacity for teamwork. Your written and spoken English is fluent.
Pay category: TV-L 13 (65%)
Hiring date: July 01, 2019
Duration of employment: 3 years
Contact: Dr. rer. nat. Kathleen Reiss,
Email:kreiss@ukaachen.de,
www.ukaachen.de/kliniken-institute/institut-fuer-pharmakologie-und-toxikologie

Equal career prospects for women and men.
Severely disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given preferential consideration.
Application deadline: March 31, 2019