Vacancies in TRR259
Available jobs for the 2nd funding period (1 July 2023 - 30 June 2027):
6 PhD students (65%, German TV-L E13) for its locations at the University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany
1 Postdoc position (100%, German TV-L E13) at the University of Cologne
2 Study nurses/ MFA (50%, German TV-L E9), one each in Cologne and Bonn
Application deadline:
Information
The SFB/TRR 259 is an interdisciplinary research network involving the University of Bonn, the University of Cologne, and the Düsseldorf Heinrich Heine University. The primary objective of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) is to bring together knowledge and expertise of top researchers in cardiovascular disease to address aortic disease development and progression. PhD students will be integrated into the local graduate programs with outstanding training opportunities in multidisciplinary, interconnected scientific fields, and will benefit from mentoring and networking opportunities. PhD students and Postdocs will have access to exclusive services, workshops, and seminars tailored to the Aortic Disease graduate program. The three involved universities offer state-of-the-art technologies, high-end laboratories, a vibrant scientific network, structured career development programs, and an internationally competitive scientific training program.
In this second funding period, building upon the scientific discoveries of the first funding period, the projects of the SFB/TRR259 will focus on studying the resident and non-resident molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying aortic disease, with a particular focus on aortic valve stenosis, aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection. Projects investigating non-resident effectors will aim to elucidate how cells infiltrating and surrounding aortic tissues mediate aortic tissue damage on the molecular level and how they orchestrate pro-inflammatory responses through activation and detection of danger signals and physical stimuli. Projects researching resident effectors will investigate genes and proteins that drive endothelial heterogeneity and analyze signaling pathways influencing aortic disease.
Job description for PhD students
Responsibilities
- Commitment to researching aortic disease in one of the labs participating in the TRR259
- Writing a dissertation based on the research performed during the employment period
- Compulsory participation in the Research Training Group’s structured doctoral programme (including symposia, workshops, lectures, and seminars) and attendance at all events of the Research Training Group
Requirements
- Diploma or master’s degree in a life-science-related discipline, such as molecular biomedicine, physiology, immunology, biochemistry or cell biology
- High motivation, with a strong interest in cardiovascular disease
- Excellent written and spoken English, communication skills, and interdisciplinary thinking are essential
- Team-orientated mindset
- Previous experience working with in vivo experimental models, flow cytometry, small animal models, or gene sequencing is considered advantageous
We offer
- A salary according to the German salary scale, 65% TV-L E13
- Workshops, seminars, and retreats specific to the TRR/SFB 259
- A thriving international and collaborative research environment
- Opportunities to attend national and international scientific meetings
- Numerous “soft skills” courses on scientific communication, project management, etc.
- Highly translational and interdisciplinary research projects
- Potential access to the university daycare center
- Supplementary benefits in the public sector (pension plan according to VBL)
Application procedure
Applicants are required to send their application in English as a single PDF file, which should include a cover letter, CV, scanned copies of academic degrees, a list of publications, and the contact details for two references. Please specify if you wish to apply to a specific location of the TRR (Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf). The start date for successful candidates is July 1st, 2023 or later. The PhD positions are initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension. The positions of the Postdoc and study nurses are limited to four years.
Please send your applications to the coordination office for the integrated Research Training Group of the TRR259 to the attention of Dr. Cornelia Fischbach (cornelia.fischbach@ukbonn.de).
Important
Please specify if you wish to apply to a specific location of the TRR (Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf) or a specific subproject or if you are open to different sites and projects.
Positions in Bonn
5 PhD students (65%, German TV-L E13)
1 Study nurse/ MFA (50%, German TV-L E9)
2 PhD position (65%, German TV-L E13) at the Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology (Prof. S. Zimmer, Prof. E. Latz)
Chronic inflammation is responsible for the development and progression of aortic disease. In the first funding period, we demonstrated that specific activation of the innate immune system is critical for this pro-inflammatory state. Project A02 will expand on these findings by deciphering what cell types mediate the observed effects using conditional mice and specific in vitro models. For translation, we will test therapeutic interventions targeting innate immune receptor activation. Finally, we will study the role of danger signalling mechanisms of monocytes with specific pro-inflammatory genetic predispositions, termed clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), in the development of aortic disease.
1 PhD position (65%, German TV-L E13) at the Institute of Innate Immunity (Dr. S. Schmidt)
Previous work has identified a novel macrophage subpopulation termed interferon-inducible cells (IFNICs) in murine abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) that exhibits high CD40 expression and an interferon gene signature. The function of IFNICs in the genesis of AAA and the role of the pro-inflammatory CD40/CD40L axis and other immunomodulatory signalling cascades (TAMs, IFNAR) remains unknown. We aim to define the phenotype, localisation and function of CD40+ IFNICs in AAA and to investigate the CD40-mediated modulation of AAA-relevant type I interferon responses. In addition, predictors for life-threatening ruptures in patients in late stages of AAA and new therapeutic approaches for therapy will be identified.
1 PhD position (65%, German TV-L E13) at the Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology (Prof. A. Pfeifer, Dr. S. Hildebrand)
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is a type of thermogenic adipose tissue that lines large blood vessels, including the aorta. Given the beneficial effects of thermogenic adipose tissue activity in cardiovascular disease, we hypothesised that activation of PVAT mediates important protective effects in aortic disease during physiological activation by cold exposure. In the previous funding period, we identified an important role for PVAT in regulating aortic function and stenosis. In the second funding period, we will analyse the precise mechanisms through which PVAT influences aortic function and disease as well as functionally characterise molecular targets that were identified during the first funding period. Moreover, we will also focus on the secretomic and metabolomic crosstalk between PVAT and the aortic wall in the context of aneurysm formation.
1 PhD position (65%, German TV-L E13) at the Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine (Prof. E. Bartok)
Decellularised human heart valves (DHV) are a promising therapeutic approach for heart valve replacement in terms of biocompatibility and durability. Nonetheless, early and late degeneration of aortic DHVs has been observed in some patients, with several studies implicating the immune response to the decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM) in this process. In this project, we aim to characterise the immune response to dECM graft material and investigate how its modulation may affect host integration of dECM-based implants. Altogether, we hope to establish the molecular groundwork for targeted pharmacological therapies to improve integration, biocompatibility, and durability of DHVs.
1 Study nurse/ MFA (50%, German TV-L E9) at the Clinic for Internal Medicine II (Dr. J. Shamekhi)
Early recognition and management of aortic stenosis (AS) are substantial to avoid life-threatening events during the clinical course. Complex mechanisms including fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, osteogenic differentiation and the effect of genetic risk variants have been proposed to be involved mechanistically in the pathogenesis of degenerative AS. In our project, we plan to assess multiple morphological, functional, genetic and immunological parameters and combine these parameters for model development, applying deep learning algorithms, to investigate their capacity to predict disease progression in patients with moderate AS in a longitudinal long-term clinical study.
Responsibilities
- Project organization and support
- Patient contact with study participants
- blood draws
- Registration of examinations and acquisition of appointments
- Central data management
- Correspondence with other institutes involved
Requirements
- Certified study nurse or training as MFA (m/f/d)
- Basic medical knowledge
- PC user skills
- Autonomy in planning and acting
- Team orientation, organizational talent, flexibility
Positions in Cologne
1 PhD students (65%, German TV-L E13)
1 Postdoc position (100%, German TV-L E13)
1 Study nurse/ MFA (50%, German TV-L E9)
1 PhD position (65%, German TV-L E13) at the Clinic III for Internal Medicine (Prof. H. Winkels)
Macrophages contribute to inflammatory processes and extracellular matrix remodelling in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. Therefore, the modulation of inflammatory and matrix-degrading macrophage phenotypes represents an attractive strategy to reduce vascular inflammation and AAA. Recently, extra-nasal olfactory receptor 2 (Olfr2) expression in vascular macrophages has been shown to modulate their inflammatory response. We will determine how Olfr2 contributes to AAA formation and the accompanying vascular macrophage response in Olfr2-deficient mice. Finally, by genetically and pharmacologically inhibiting or augmenting Olfr2 signalling, we will test if Olfr2 is a novel therapeutic target in AAA.
1 Postdoc position (100%, German TV-L E13) at the Clinic III for Internal Medicine (Dr. M. Mollenhauer)
We will establish and characterise a large animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysm disease (AAA) in pigs by aortic porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion. In a therapeutic approach, we will investigate the role of the anti-inflammatory nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) in a PPE mouse model and translate obtained results into the porcine AAA model. Furthermore, we will establish an infrastructure for large animal experiments, which will allow the utilisation of a standardised porcine model of AAA disease by the whole consortium, including adjustments to specific project requirements, animal transportation and ethics preparation.
1 Study nurse/ MFA (50%, German TV-L E9) at the Clinic III for Internal Medicine (PD Dr. V. Mauri)
Early recognition and management of aortic stenosis (AS) are substantial to avoid life-threatening events during the clinical course. Complex mechanisms including fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, osteogenic differentiation and the effect of genetic risk variants have been proposed to be involved mechanistically in the pathogenesis of degenerative AS. In our project, we plan to assess multiple morphological, functional, genetic and immunological parameters and combine these parameters for model development, applying deep learning algorithms, to investigate their capacity to predict disease progression in patients with moderate AS in a longitudinal long-term clinical study.
Responsibilities
- Project organization and support
- Patient contact with study participants
- blood draws
- Registration of examinations and acquisition of appointments
- Central data management
- Correspondence with other institutes involved
Requirements
- Certified study nurse or training as MFA (m/f/d)
- Basic medical knowledge
- PC user skills
- Autonomy in planning and acting
- Team orientation, organizational talent, flexibility
Kontakt
Dr. Cornelia Fischbach
Biomedical Center I, Building 13, 3G, room 22
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn