PhD Student positions (65% E13) are available at the Institute of Biomedical Genetics (IBMG), University of Stuttgart. The successful candidates will study TGFbeta-induced cellular decision making in health and disease using quantitative experiments, mathematical modeling or a combination of both. The positions will be located within the Systems Biology research group ( https://www.ibmg.uni-stuttgart.de/de/systems_biology/ ) and the appointment will initially be limited to 3 years.
The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading technical universities in Germany, and provides an inspiring interdisciplinary environment at the interface of biology and engineering. The Systems Biology group combines mathematical modelling with state-of-the-art experimentation and is part of the newly founded Institute for Biomedical Genetics as well as the Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), one of the largest German inter-faculty infrastructures for systems biological research ( https://www.srcsb.uni-stuttgart.de/ ). The candidate will participate in teaching in systems biology and will benefit from interdisciplinary education within the SRCSB, the SimTech excellence cluster ( https://www.simtech.uni-stuttgart.de/ ) and the Graduate Academy of the University of Stuttgart ( https://www.gradus.uni-stuttgart.de/en/ ). The positions will be embedded in the newly funded DFG graduate school “EpiSignal - Crosstalk of intracellular signaling pathways and chromatin modification networks”, in which several research groups collaborate to study related signaling pathways controlling gene expression and cell fate decisions. The successful applicant will closely interact with colleagues within or outside the group to develop quantitative models of gene expression, thereby deriving mechanistic insights into perturbed proliferation and migration in cancer cells (see e.g., Strasen et al., Molecular Systems Biology 2018; Fritzsch et al., Molecular Systems Biology 2018; Bohn et al., PNAS 2023; Hartmann et al., Life Sci Alliance 2024). To this end, theoretical approaches (RNA sequencing analysis, machine learning and quantitative kinetic modeling) will be combined with quantitative experimental data (bulk and single-cell RNAseq, single-molecule RNA FISH, live-cell imaging and genome editing) Requirements: Excellent communication skills and good team spirit are required. The candidate should be fluent in English (spoken and written). Enthusiasm for basic research questions and the ability to solve problems independently are necessary. Applications from various fields will be considered, including researchers holding a M.Sc. in molecular biology, engineering, physics, math or informatics. Experience in quantitative systems biology research is beneficial.
The University of Stuttgart has been certified as a family-friendly university since 2012 ( http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/uniundfamilie/index.en .html) and wishes to increase the share of female academic staff and, for this reason, especially welcomes applications from women. Severely challenged applicants will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications.
Application procedure: Candidates must send a single PDF file containing a motivation letter including a description of previous research experiences, a full CV, a list of publications, scans of academic degrees (e.g. Abitur & Master degree) and contact details of two referees to legewie@ibmg.uni-stuttgart.de .
Starting date: As soon as possible
Closing date: Applications will be handled immediately but must be submitted by 30th of March 2025. Informal inquiries should be addressed to Stefan Legewie ( legewie@ibmg.uni-stuttgart.de ). Flexible working hours