Master Biotechnology as PhD-Student (Doktorand*in (m/w/d)) in Molecular Cell…

The Institute of Biotechnology at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg) has been initiating the Biotech-Health Campus Lausitz (BioH), a new innovation campus at our University. BioH is hosting two Fraunhofer Project Groups as well as other innovative flagship projects to support the sustainable industrial transformation of the Lausitz region.

For the department of Molecular Cell Biology (Chair Prof. JH Küpper) we announce a position for a PhD student to work on the new BMBF project “Next Generation Drugs”, which will be performed in collaboration with two Fraunhofer Institutes.

Aufgaben
The project addresses the well-known problem that many prescribed drugs require bioactivation by liver enzymes of the CYP450 system. However, if this biotransformation does not work efficiently enough due to a genetic polymorphism or generally due to reduced liver function, the drug metabolite cannot be produced in the required amount, and therapy may not be effective. A new platform technology developed in our institute allows for the development of “Next Generation Drugs” to help millions of patients worldwide.

The project has just started and is supported by BMBF grant with 6.8 million EUR and for 5 years.

The position as PhD student is available in order to validate candidate Next Generation Drugs on human cell systems. We will perform drug treatments of primary-like human hepatocytes (Upcyte system) to identify with HPLC and partially purify drug metabolites. We will perform cell-based activity tests with Next Generation Drugs to test their activity on human cancer cells and blood cells. Furthermore, in-vitro toxicology testing will be performed with standard procedures in order to test for drug side effects.

Further information about the team and ongoing projects can be found on the homepage of our research group (www.b-tu.de/en/fg-molekulare-zellbiologie).
Qualifikationsprofil
Qualified applicants with Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Medicine or related fields have sound experiences in conventional cell culture techniques and in one or more of the following areas: Expression profiling of cells with e.g. qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blotting and/or ‘omics techniques; molecular biology and cloning; bioanalytics with HPLC and/or LCMS and/or flow cytometry.

Furthermore, successful candidates will have some special experience in at least one of the following areas: cancer cell proliferation and cytotoxicity analysis, xenobiotic biotransformation studies with human hepatocytes, human thrombocyte activation studies.

Candidates are expected to publish new scientific results in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals. Further, the successful candidate is expected to supervise international biotechnology bachelor- and master students. Thus, language skills in both German and English are required.

We highly welcome applications of motivated young scientists who strike to pursue a carrier in academical science or in biopharmaceutical industry.
Wir bieten
The BTU offers you excellent conditions for your scientific qualifications and research. In addition, there are many advantages of Cottbus-Senftenberg as a science location, which is particularly impressive due to its interdisciplinary nature, including attractive and affordable housing options in the Lusatian Lakeland.

The position as PhD student (50% of full-time equivalent) is available as of now and paid according to the usual salary scale for at least three years.

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is committed to equal opportunities and diversity and strives for a balanced gender ratio in all employee groups. Persons with a severe disability and their equals are given priority in the case of equal suitability