神经科学方向博士职位 (MSCA Doctoral Network METAMORPH)

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution. At the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) , the Chair of Epigenomics of Neural Development of Prof. Dr. Mareike Albert offers two full-time positions as Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x) in the MSCA Doctoral Network METAMORPH (salary according to MSCA regulation) starting August 1, 2027. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE grant agreement no 101310979. Research areas: DC3: Gene regulatory mechanisms of metabolic genes in cortical development and evolution. DC4: Characterisation of human-specific gene regulatory elements in morphoregulatory genes. Terms: The position is limited to 36 months. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG).

Supervisory team: Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Mareike Albert

Secondment: DC3: 3 months secondment at the University of Helsinki in Finland. DC4: 3 months secondment at Human Technopole in Italy. About METAMORPH: Studying the interplay between cell metabolism and cell morphogenesis is a new, important entry point to unravel understudied mechanisms regulating human brain evolution and potential causes of neurodevelopmental disorders. The ambitious METAMORPH Doctoral Network will be an interdisciplinary platform for doctoral candidates (DCs), aiming to provide high-quality education and training, with an emphasis on inclusive, supportive structures that foster DCs’ personal and professional growth and promote optimal standards of research integrity, while achieving excellence in research. To accomplish the goal of METAMORPH, 6 highly qualified academic partners and 3 industrial partners from 6 countries (Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and UK) have teamed up to address the following scientific objectives: to determine the role of cell METAbolism and cell MORPHogenesis interplay in i) human cortical development, ii) the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, and iii) human neocortical evolution, by exploiting the complementary expertise and strengths of the teams. The network will bring together not only top-notch training to provide DCs with an opportunity to METAMORPHose into world-class, leading professionals, but also advanced knowledge to improve diagnostic strategies and identify potential druggable targets for neurodevelopmental disorders. Project objectives: DC3: Which cis-regulatory regions regulate metabolic genes in NPCs? DC4: Gene regulatory networks of morphoregulatory genes in cortical evolution. Tasks: DC3: Characterise gene regulatory networks underlying metabolic gene expression. The project aims to identify enhancers critical for NPC metabolism by combining analysis of epigenomic data, screening with massive parallel reporter assays and functional characterisation of metabolic gene enhancers in human cortical organoids. DC4: Identify putative enhancer regions with gained activity in humans compared to other primate species. The project aims to characterise gene regulatory networks of morphoregulatory genes by harnessing our epigenomic data sets, followed by functional studies in primate cerebral organoids.

Requirements / required education level / degree: Master Degree or equivalent

Requirements / required education level / discipline: Neurosciences

Requirements / skills: • university degree (e.g. Master) in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, neurobiology or related field. Copies of bachelor's and master's diplomas and academic transcripts/diploma supplements (with translations, if applicable). Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, by sending a provisionary Master's degree. But cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master’s degree. • Excellent command of written and spoken English. Proof of English language proficiency.

Requirements / specific requirements: • The primary workplace will be in Dresden, Germany. Therefore, candidates from outside the EU must be eligible to obtain a visa. The position is expected to start in the second half of 2027. • Residency history of last 36 months and main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization of last 36 months • As secondments and events are foreseen, applicants must be ready to travel. • Applicants must be eligible to enroll on a PhD program at TU Dresden (see https://tu-dresden.de/mn/postgraduales/promotion?set_language=en )

Requirements / required languages / language: ENGLISH

Requirements / required languages / language level: Excellent

Additional information / benefits: • A competitive salary according to MSCA regulations (see page 118ff), including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if eligible, a family allowance. The stated allowances represent the gross funding amounts. Employer contributions to social security, health insurance, and other statutory costs will be deducted in accordance with the applicable national regulations. • Covered tuition costs, research costs and funding for short term mobility (i.e. conference attendance). • Interdisciplinary and international research projects. • Becoming a Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD fellow.

Additional information / eligibility criteria: TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment. Eligibility criteria • The applicant must have a university degree (MSc degree or equivalent). • The applicant must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. • MSCA Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment, the researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

Applicants who do not fulfill the Mobility Rule and the Eligibility Criteria CANNOT be considered for the research position.

Additional information / selection process: Applicants can be of any nationality within laws of EU to enter the EU countries. Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master’s degree. Selection process How to apply and selection: The details of the application and selection process can be found via the DIGS-ILS program: https://www.digs-ils.phd/join/phd-positions/how-to-apply

Work location / nr job positions: 2

Work location / job organisation institute: Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD)

Work location / job country: Germany

Work location / job state province: Saxony

Work location / job city: Dresden

Work location / job postal code: 01307

Work location / job street: Fetscherstrasse 105

Hiring contact / organisation institute: TU Dresden

Hiring contact / organisation institute type: Public Research Institution

Hiring contact / division faculty: Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden

Hiring contact / country: Germany

Hiring contact / city: Dresden

Hiring contact / state province: Saxony

Hiring contact / postal code: 01307

Hiring contact / street: Fetscherstrasse 105

Hiring contact / e mail: mareike.albert@tu-dresden.de

Hiring contact / website: https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/crtd/forschungsgruppen/crtd-forschungsgruppen/albert

Application / how to apply: website

Application / application website: https://www.digs-ils.phd/join

EU funding / framework programme: Horizon Europe - MSCA

EU funding / cofund nr job position: 1

EU funding / sesam agreement number: 101310979

Research field / main research field: Biological sciences

Research field / sub research field: Biology

Research field / main research field: Neurosciences

Research field / sub research field: Other

Researcher profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Contract: Temporary

Job status: Full-time

Application deadline (as exported; timezone unverified): 2026-10-15T21:59:00