PhD Position Available – Dept of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery

Employment Type:   Workplace
Start Date:   30.04.2016
Expiration :   limited to 36 months
Site:   01307 Dresden
Working hours:   full time
Weekly working hours:   8:00 pm

Job Description

The Dept. of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University Hospital Dresden is one of the leading surgical departements for cancer treatment in Europe. Implemented within the department is the Surgical Research Lab, which links molecular science with patient oriented research. The lab is part of several research initiatives joining oncological and stem cell labs on the Dresden University Campus, including the Center for Regererative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG).

From the 1st of May, 2016 or following position is vacant: PhD Student (m/f) in full-time employment. The salary is according to the State of Saxony TV-L salary scales (50%). Contract is limited for 36 months.

Within the Surgical Research Lab, our group focus on the exosomal crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. Exosomes are small microvesicles (50 – 150 nm) that can shuttle active microRNAs, mRNAs, DNA fragments and proteins from a donor cell to recipient cells. By this mechanism, tumor cells can manipulate the local and systemic microenvironment to aid in cancer growth and dissemination. Moreover, specific tumor exosomal proteins can direct circulating tumor cells into different organs, hence determining organotropic metastasis. The leader Christoph Kahlert has focused on the exosome-mediated interaction between cancer and its surrounding since his post-doc in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Kalluri at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. We are interested to elucidate the cross-talk between colorectal cancer and the tumor microenvironment by exosomes and its impact on tumor progression in a translational approach. We use state of the art technologies to isolate exosomes from cell cultures and human material. Furthermore we characterize tumor-derived exosomes and investigate their impact on organotropic metastasis. The offered position for the PhD is funded by Dept. of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University Hospital Dresden.

Your tasks:

• Analyze and characterize exosomes of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells
• Investigate their impact on organotropic metastasis in murine models
• Identify target genes for organotropic metastasis and manipulate exosomes by using retrovirus and CRISPR/Cas technology
• Evaluate the pre-clinical findings in large cohorts of patients with colorectal cancer as diagnostic and predictive markers.

Your Profile:

• MSc or equivalent in biology, biomedicine or related science
• practical experience in lab work
• We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate (f/m) with a strong passion for science interested to work in a dynamic team. Excellent English language skills are beneficial. Applicants are encouraged to send their CV as well as names and phone numbers of two referees. Looking forward to your application!
• A “must read” before applying: Pubmed ID and 26106858, 24398677 and 23519402

We offer you:

• Arranging for flexible working hours to find a balance between work and family life
• Using our internal prevention program including courses and fitness in our Carus Vital health Center
• Taking part in job-oriented educational course in our Carus Akademie
• Providing for the future in the form of a company pension plan

Severely disabled persons are explicitly encouraged to apply.

We kindly ask you to apply preferably via our online form to make the selection process faster and more effective. Of course, we also consider your written application without any disadvantages.

We look forward to receiving your application, until April 1st, 2016, online with registration number VTG0916254.

For further information please contact: Dr. med. Christoph Kahlert Mail: Christoph.kahlert@uniklinikum-dresden.de

Contact:

University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus University of Technology
Fetscherstr . 74
01307 Dresden

Homepage :

https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de/jobs-und-karriere/stellenangebote/wissenschaft/phd-student-w-m