Postdoctoral Position in The German Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases (DZNE)

The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) is a unique non-university research center which is dedicated to the subject dementia and all its areas, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. The center compasses the full spectrum of fundamental research through population sciences to health care research. The DZNE stands for excellence in research and science management, translation of scientific results into practice, interdisciplinarity and internationalization. It is a research center within the Helmholtz Organization of German research centers. With over 1,000 employees from 55 nations, spread over 10 sites, the DZNE is one of the national and international leading research centers in its research field.
The DZNE in Dresden – the Laboratory of Dr. Tomohisa Toda – is looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) – Code 8016/2019/1

On the subject nuclear architecture in the long-term maintenance of brain function and brain aging.
Aging is one of the most critical risk factors for neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, the biological links between physiological aging and pathological development are still largely unknown. The Toda Lab at DZNE-Dresden site aims at elucidating this link between the fundamental mechanism underlying the long-term maintenance of neural identity/plasticity and effects of aging on that. To this end, we focus on nuclear architecture directed by nucleoporin/lamins, which could work as structural foundation for cell-type specific gene regulation. We combine multiple approaches ranging from molecular biology, neurobiology, epigenetics, genetics in rodents and super-resolution imaging. Efforts will be directed toward studying the effects of age-related neurological diseases on the identified mechanisms.

Your tasks

The project will focus on the nucleoporin/lamin-directed nuclear architecture in neural plasticity and the effect of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on the identified mechanisms. Combining NGS technology, advanced microscopy and genetic mouse models, a post-doc is expected to investigate how aging and AD pathology impact on cell type-specific nuclear architectures and impairs neural identity/plasticity. Using both in vitro culture system and in vivo mouse models, we aim to understand the role of cell type-specific nuclear architecture from molecular to behavioral levels.

Your profile

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. or expect to obtain a Ph.D*, and should have relevant experience to our research interest such as neuroscience, epigenetics and molecular biology
• Capable to work independently within a collaborative environment
• Prior experiences in either epigenetic approaches (ChIP-seq/ ATAC-seq/ NGS data analysis), advanced biochemistry(APEX, BioID) or advanced microscopy are desirable, but other expertise relevant to our interests is also welcome
• Applicants should have at least one peer-reviewed first-author publication in international journals
• Animal handling may be necessary
• The lab language is English

*candidates must have obtained their PhD when taking up their contract

We offer

• An interesting and challenging task in a research center that works on the future topics of health research
• An international environment characterized by a strong focus on science and research
• A high potential for the individual development of our employees
• Targeted personnel development
• Employment, payment and social benefits are determined by the Public Sector Collective Agreement (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst – TVöD Bund)

You will obtain special skills and knowledge for your scientific qualification at DZNE. The DZNE is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to employing disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

Required documents for application

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Three of the usual references
3. Research statement –prior experience, project plans, future goals, and possible contributions to the lab

Further information and contact details of Dr. Toda can be found under: https://www.dzne.de/en/research/research-areas/fundamental-research/research-groups/toda/research-areasfocus/

The group is member of the Dresden International Graduate School of Biomedical and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB).

Please apply via: https://jobs.dzne.de/en/jobs/30281/form