Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Location: Mechanobiology Lab, Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Neuherburg Nr Munich, Germany
The Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC) founded and funded by Helmholtz Munich stands for the intelligent fusion of biomedical sciences, engineering and digitization. At HPC, top scientific talents from across the globe work together on the development of novel solutions that make a difference In the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The Mechanobiology Group headed by Dr. Janna Nawroth s based at the HPC at Helmholtz Munich is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow interested in studying the interplay between ciliary mechanics, fluid transport, and neuronal plasticity in the brain.
The project
Investigating the role of motile cilia in nature, especially relating to human health and disease.
The function of motile cilia in the brain ventricles remains widely unknown. In this high-risk, exploratory project we aim to investigate the interplay between ciliary beat, fluid transport, and neuronal progenitor cells of the subventricular zone.
We are a seeking a postdoctoral scholar eager to leverage a combination of electrophysiology, quantitative live imaging, anatomical studies, molecular biology, and - with support from our team and collaborators - computational models and genetic engineering to elucidate the dynamic feedback between cilia mechanics and neuronal signalling.
Due to the exploratory and interdisciplinary nature of the project, you will be expected to design and drive your own hypothesis-driven investigations, develop new methodologies in ex vivo and in vitro tissue, and seek additional training to acquire new expertise as applicable. You will be fully supported in those endeavours through close collaborations with your team members and other research groups, both locally and internationally.
Key references
https://www.biorxiv.org/contencontent/10.1101/202302.12.528181v2 (preprint, accepted in Nat Physics)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10769450/ (preprint)
The candidate
The candidate should be individuals motivated to explore new, exploratory avenues at the intersection of neuroscience and fluid mechanics. Ideal candidates will have or be:
- PhD in neurobiology, neuroscience, or related disciplines
- Highly motivated, independently working and eager to take on a high-risk/high-reward exploratory project
- Good publication record with evidence of independence (at least two first-author publications or one high impact first-author publication in international journals)
- Strong skills in experimental neurophysiology, imaging, and quantitative data analysis
- Interest in biomechanics and fluid mechanics
- Fluent in written and spoken English
Desirable qualifications
- Prior postdoctoral or equivalent training
- Experience in biomechanics and fluid mechanics
The benefits
Career Development
Postdoc program, scientific training and career centre with tailored offers
International Staff Service
Support with relocation and integration process in Germany
Scientific resources
State of the art infrastructure and facilities
Recreation
30 days annual leave, flexi-days plus public holidays
Health promotion
Sports, company doctor, mental health initiatives
If you fulfil all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade of up to E 13. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TVciD). The position has an (initial) fixed term of 2 years but may be extended under certain circumstances.
We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.
If you have obtained a university degree abroad, we will require further documents from you regarding the comparability of your degree. Please request the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications as early as possible.
How to appply
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Janna Nawroth, janna.nawroth@helmholtzmunich.de, who will be happy to help.
Your application should include
- CV and Cover Letter
- Degrees/ Diplomas/Certificates
- References from recent employers
- Contact details for at least two referees