The Grosshans laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of tissue morphogenesis in Drosophila embryos. We focus on the function and structure of E-cadherin and adherens junctions as well as mechano-gated ion channels in the coordination of cell behaviour such as contractions between neighbouring cells. Specifically the candidate will investigate the role of N-glycans of E-cadherin in clustering and mechanotransduction as well as the link of adherens junctions to mechano-gated ion channels. Concerning the theory part and computational procedures, the project will be conducted in collaboration with the group of Fred Wolf at the MPI/University of Göttingen. Funding is secured by a recently awarded DFG grant (three years, pay scale according public service).

We combine a wide range of methods, such life imaging, confocal and superresolution microscopy, computational image analysis, optical and biophysical  techniques beside Drosophila genetics, CRISPR genome engineering, transcriptome analysis and molecular biology. State-of-the-art equipment (e. g. LSM980 with UV laser, spinning disc, light-sheet microscope) is available in a recently refurbished laboratory on the Lahnberge in Marburg.

You should possess scientific curiosity, have a masters degree in the field of molecular life sciences and come with some experience in molecular genetics or advanced microscopy.

Please contact J. Großhans (grosshan@uni-marburg.de) for informal inquiries. Deadline for application is September 15th, 2023. Formal applications will be submitted afterwards on the official job portal of the Philipps University.