Postdoctoral Position - Molecular and Systems Toxicology

The Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is offering a Postdoc position to investigate mechanisms involved in steroid – oxysterol – bile acid homeostasis.

Your position

This project focuses on the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enzymes 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1) and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the metabolism of steroids, oxysterols and bile acids, with relevance to liver diseases and cardio-metabolic diseases. 11βHSD1 essentially converts inactive 11keto- to 11β-hydroxy-glucocorticoids. Within the ER, 11βHSD1 forms a complex with H6PDH that provides cofactor NADPH. 11βHSD1 is considered a therapeutic target in metabolic and immune disorders. However, the function of both 11βHSD1 and H6PDH and especially their impact on oxysterol and bile acid homeostasis needs to be further explored, helping to understand metabolic diseases and potentially contributing to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The successful candidate will employ mouse models (H6PD KO; pharmacological inhibition) and UPLC-MS/MS to investigate the role of 11βHSD1 and H6PDH on steroid, oxysterol and bile acid profiles. In collaboration with an external partner, lipidomics will be applied to extend the metabolomics information on the impact of loss of H6PDH. Additionally, unbiased gene expression analyses including next generation sequencing and proteomics analyses should complement the project.

The successful candidate should have experience in LC-MS/MS based analytical methods development and application and ideally basic knowledge and skills in animal experimentation. Whilst most of the methods are established to continue ongoing studies and initiate new parts of the project, the successful candidate is expected to further develop analytical methods to contribute with his expertise to projects of other team members and external collaboration partners.

The successful candidate will be integrated in an international research group. We employ a multi-disciplinary approach and look for a highly motivated, interactive team player.

Your profile

• PhD in the field of Life Sciences
• Experience in LC-MS/MS quantification of small molecules and/or proteins as well as qualitative data analysis
• Experience with biological samples (culture supernatants, tissues from animals/humans)
• Knowledge in the analysis of samples from metabolomics and/or proteomics studies
• Ideally, basic knowledge and skills in animal experimentation
• Experience in supervision of students
• Fluent communication in English, written and oral, ideally good knowledge in German
• Highly motivated, interactive team player

 

We offer you

• Postdoc position for two years (with possibility of extension)
• Training in the key techniques in order to take over ongoing projects
• International research environment

 

Application / Contact

Applications should include CV, copies of degrees and qualifications and the names/contact data of at least two referees. Documents should be submitted electronically to Christiane.Kocher@unibas.ch

Deadline: May 14, 2018