The vision of the research group ‘Cell Biology of Nutrient Sensing’ is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cell growth control, nutrient sensing, and protein secretion; and to identify and functionally characterize novel regulators of these processes, focusing on their putative implementation as new targets for drug development.
Our work combines high-throughput omics approaches (functional genomic screens, advanced proteomic analyses, metabolomics), with state-of-the-art molecular biology, biochemistry, gene-editing, and high-resolution microscopy techniques.
We make use of established human and mouse cell lines, as well as primary and patient-derived cells, to address multiple fundamental biological questions: How is cell growth regulated in normal cells? How does its dysregulation contribute to the development of cancer and other age-related diseases? How do cells respond to nutrient starvation (signaling, metabolism, physiology), and what is the role of specific organelles in this process? How is protein secretion regulated upon starvation and stress, and how do secreted factors influence cellular physiology and cell-cell communication? Can we develop pharmacological or nutritional approaches to target ageing and age-related disease?
We seek highly motivated, ambitious, and talented scientists to join an enthusiastic and collaborative team in an outstanding scientific environment. The working language of the lab is English.
The applicant is required to hold a master’s degree/diploma in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or a related field, and to have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Prior experience in one or more of the following methodologies: cell culture, gene silencing (RNAi), protein (immunoblotting) and RNA analysis (RT-qPCR), CRISPR-mediated gene-editing, confocal microscopy, colocalization analysis, mass-spectrometry, omics data analysis, cell motility/migration assays, and molecular cloning, will be considered an advantage.
Candidates having research experience in TSC/mTOR signaling, lysosome biology, Golgi biology, cellular metabolism, cell-cell communication, protein secretion, or membrane trafficking are encouraged to apply for this position and will be viewed preferentially.
