The mission of the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) is medical translation: transferring biomedical research findings into novel approaches to personalized prediction, prevention, diagnostics and therapy and, conversely, using clinical observations to develop new research ideas. The aim of its more than 400 scientists is to deliver relevant medical benefits to patients and the population at large. The BIH is also committed to establishing a comprehensive translational ecosystem as translational research unit at Charité – one that places emphasis on a system-wide understanding of health and disease and that promotes change in the biomedical research culture. The BIH was founded in 2013 and is funded 90 percent by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and 10 percent by the State of Berlin. The two founding institutions, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), were independent member entities within the BIH until 2020. As of 2021, the BIH has been integrated into Charité as its third pillar; the MDC is privileged partner of the BIH.

For the lab of Prof. Dr. Ludovic Vallier at the Center for Regenerative Therapy (BCRT) at the BIH

we are looking from the 01.01.2023 limited until the 31.12.2025 for a

Ph.D. Student (f/m/d)

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate awith a background in Cell biology, molecular biology and pluripotent stem cells to join the team of Prof. Ludovic Vallier, located at the Berlin Institute of Health Centre for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. The Vallier lab aims to understand the mechanisms controlling liver development and biology and then to translate this knowledge into clinical applications against liver diseases. The successful applicant will work closely with an interdisciplinary and collaborative group, including clinicians and scientists across the BCRT & BIH/Charité community, providing a range of opportunities to learn new skills.

Your area of responsibility:

The general responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

• Growing and differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids. Perform loss and gain functions experiments on genes controlling plasticity.
• Develop culture conditions to derive and grow liver tumoroids.
• Perform loss and gain functions experiments on genes controlling liver cell plasticity and then perform detailed phenotypic and epigenetic analyses.
• Processing, quality control and integrated analysis of the resulting functional data (e.g., transcriptome, accessible chromatin, gene expression).
• Document progress, communicate and present analyses to the group, institute members and collaborators verbally and in writing.
• Work with members of the group and collaborators as well as independently with respect to experimental design, data analysis, visualization and interpretation as well as planning next steps.
• Write manuscripts and different reports concerning scientific progress.
• Relevant publications can be found here
• Our location

Your profile:

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate with an interest in liver biology, pluripotent stem cells and organoids. The ideal candidate may have the following qualifications:

• Master degree in the life or natural sciences.

• Broad Research experience in developmental biology, pluripotent stem cells, epigenomics analyses, transcriptional regulations and cellular plasticity.
• Very good communications skills (lab and institute language is English) and desire to work with individuals of different backgrounds in a multidisciplinary team.
• Self-motivation, organizational skills, and desire to lead and develop scientific projects.
• Scientific curiosity, analytical thinking and interest in contributing to projects.
• Keen interest in learning new skills, research techniques, data processing and analysis/interpretation of results.
• Please send applications as a single pdf file, including cover letter (max. 2 pages) indicating past, current and future research interests, potential starting date, a curriculum vitae including publications, and 2-3 letters of recommendation. We are looking forward to hear from you!

We offer:

• A varied job in a forward-looking research institute
• a temporary part-time position (25,35 hours/week)
• Remuneration up to E13 TVöD VKA-K: The grouping takes into consideration the qualifications and the personal circumstances of the candidate
• Additional benefits customary in the public sector (including annual bonus, VBL)
• 30 vacation days per year (with a five-day week) and up to 24 flexdays per year
• Family - friendly, flexible working hours for better work-life balance

We live diversity!

BIH strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications from people with an immigrant background who meet the hiring requirements are expressly encouraged. Severely disabled applicants and those with equal status will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal suitability.

Note: In the case of foreign university degrees, we draw your attention to the possible need for the ZAB to issue a certificate evaluation. More information can be found here.

Please submit your application via the BIH Career portal https://jobs.bihealth.org until 18.11.2022, quoting the reference number BIH-153.22. We are looking forward to hear from you!

You can find more information about BIH at

www.bihealth.org/en/