The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) unites the Medical Faculty of the Georg-August University and the University Hospital in an integration model. With around 9,700 employees, the UMG and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in the region. Our clinics and institutes stand for high-quality patient care, excellent research, modern teaching and transfer of innovative technology.

Göttingen as a city of science is located in the center of Germany and the University Medical Center Göttingen is integrated into an attractive network of university and non-university scientific institutions.

The Institut für Auditorische Neurowissenschaften of the University Medical Center Göttingen is looking for a new position to 01.04.2025

Ph.D Position (f/m/d)

part time, with 25,025 hours per week, limited until 31.12.2028
Remuneration according to TV-L

The laboratory of Eri Sakata, Ph.D., at the Institute of Auditory Neurosciences, University Medical Center Göttingen, is seeking a Ph.D student to join the team.

The Sakata group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern protein homeostasis in cells. Our research has explored the regulation of the CaV1.3 channel in inner hair cells (IHCs) by calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-binding proteins CaBP1, and CaBP2. Pathological mutations in CaBP2 or the CaV1.3 channel itself can cause hearing impairments, although molecular and structural basis for the hearing impairments remains elusive. The successful Ph.D candidate will be engaged in structural analysis of the CaBP2 using NMR, structural determination of the Cav1.3 channel in complex with CaBP2 or CaM through cryo-EM single particle analysis, as well as biological and biophysical analysis of the protein-protein interactions. This project is supported by the Collaborative Research Centre 1690, Disease Mechanisms and Functional Restoration of Sensory and Motor Systems.

The lab is also integrated in the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable cells" (MBExC). MBExC is an interdisciplinary, cross-faculty research center of the University of Göttingen and pursues a novel research approach with joint efforts in modern bioimaging, in particular photonics, molecular biosciences, neuroscience and cardiovascular research.

Your tasks

Conduct structural studies of the CaV1.3 calcium channel using cryo-EM
Perform computational analysis of cryo-EM data
Carry out structural studies of CaBP2 using NMR
Conduct molecular biology and biophysical experiments
Manage and organize data effectively

Your qualifications

We are seeking a highly motivated, independent, and skilled individual with excellent English communication abilities
MSc degree in biology, molecular biology or related fields
Experience with structural biology techniques is also desired but not mandatory
Some knowledge in computational tools such as Python is a plus

We offer

Fully-funded Ph.D position
A stimulating intellectual environment with innovative research projects
Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure, including last-generation cryo-EM equipment and computing facilities
Opportunities for professional development, including participation in international conferences
An interdisciplinary work environment that encourages collaboration between different fields
Diverse and interesting benefits as a UMG employee (e.g. in-house daycare center, childcare during holidays, attractive infrastructure, health and sports promotion through excellent company health management)
Location in a beautiful and historic German university town with a campus that includes the University of Göttingen, the Max Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center and other research facilities on site

Our goal as University Medical Center Göttingen is professional equality for all genders. We strive to equalize the gender ratio in areas where there is underrepresentation. The University Medical Center Göttingen is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled people and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal suitability, applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the relevant regulations. We kindly ask you to indicate a disability/equal status in your letter of application in order to safeguard your interests.

We look forward to receiving your application!