The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) unites the Medical Faculty of Georg-August University and the University Hospital in an integration model. With over 9,700 employees, the UMG and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in the region. More than 60 clinics, institutes and departments stand for high-quality patient care, excellent research and modern teaching.
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 Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University Medical Centre Göttingen is looking for a new position for the earliest start date
PhD student (f/m/d) - Advancing Research on childhood-onset neurometabolic diseases
part time, 25,025 hours per week, limited for a period of 3 years
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our Pediatric Neurology Laboratory at University Medical Center Göttingen, led by Prof. Dr. Jutta Gärtner.
This exciting research opportunity focuses on the molecular basis and pathogenesis of childhood-onset neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, particularly rare peroxisomal disorders such as X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). The primary goal is to improve diagnostic methods and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for these devastating conditions.
Research Focus: Childhood-onset rare neurometabolic disorders represent a complex and heterogeneous array of diseases with overlapping pathophysiological features. These predominantly genetic conditions manifest with symptoms like progressive movement disorders, hearing and vision loss, seizures, cognitive decline and early death if left untreated. Despite their severity, many remain enigmatic at the molecular level, with no effective treatments available.
Our research groups are at the forefront of advancing the clinical and molecular characterization neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, focusing on both well-characterized and unclear conditions. Our mission is to uncover biomarkers for earlier detection, deciphering disease mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The investigations are carried out in patient samples, patient-derived cell lines and disease models, thus bridging the gap between basic science and clinical applications.
This project will specifically focus on peroxisomal disorders like X-ALD, with an emphasis on exploring the underlying pathophysiological processes. The key areas of investigation will include the roles of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as primary drivers of disease progression.
Your tasks
- Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying childhood-onset neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, with a focus on X-ALD.
- Identify and validate biomarkers for early diagnosis and differentiation of disease courses.
- Explore oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as aspects of disease progression.
- Use patient-derived cell lines, cellular models, as well as the X-ALD mouse model for pathophysiological studies.
- Develop and refine high throughput suitable assays for drug repurposing screenings in collaboration with the DZKJ Screening Program.
Your qualifications
- A Master-s degree either in Neuroscience, Medicine, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- Hands on skills for experimental work in neurobiology, molecular biology, or biochemistry.
- Experience with cell culture techniques.
- Interest in learning gene editing in iPSC culture and work with mouse animal models is encouraged.
- Highly motivated, team-oriented, and able to work independently.
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in english.
We offer
- an attractive and supportive work environment within the Göttingen Neurosciences, including collaborations with esteemed institutions such as the German Centre for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ), German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences. The working groups are supported by the the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Horizon Europe and patient organizations.
- a wide range of interesting benefits as an UMG employee (including in-house daycare center, child vacation care, attractive infrastructure; health and sports promoted by excellent company health management)
- location in a beautifful and historic German university town steeped in tradition, with a campus that includes the University of Göttingen, Max Planck Institutes, German Primate Centre and other local research institutions
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lara Maleen Marten email. 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!
Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Prof. Dr. Jutta Gärtner
Direktorin
Robert-Koch-Straße 40
37075 Göttingen
0551/39-67015