PhD student (f/m/x) for somatic genetics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE)

PhD student (f/m/x) for somatic genetics in
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Code 1496/2025/11

Site: Ulm

We are looking for you to join us full-time for a position that is initi­ally limited to two years, with the option for extension.

The position will be based at the DZNE Ulm site, which studies the under­lying mechanisms of disease causation with a parti­cular focus on amyo­trophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. Using next-generation sequen­cing, we have identified Mendelian disease genes that cause auto­somal-dominantly in­herited ALS. We have developed inno­vative disease models based on these findings (e.g. Freischmidt et al., Nat Neurosci, 2015, Brenner et al., Brain, 2018; Brenner et al., J Exp Med, 2024). We will bring these analyses to the next level by study­ing the contri­bution of somatic (mosaic) muta­tions that may occur during develop­ment or aging to ALS. To this end, we are offe­ring a PhD position to employ tar­ge­ted deep sequencing or single cell-resolved detec­tion of mosaic mutations with low allele fre­quency in human post-mortem tissue to gain further insights into the role of genetic mosa­ics in neuro­degeneration. Another aim of this pro­ject will be the develop­ment of in vitro-models for somatic mutations for functi­onal studies or the develop­ment of diagnostic approaches for ante-mortem detection of, and poten­tial testing of thera­peutic inter­ventions against, somatic mutations in neuro­degenerative diseases such as ALS.

Your role in detail

• Perform and analyze deep sequen­cing experiments on auto­psy material from ALS patients
• Make use of our established spatial transcrip­tomic expertise to study mosaic muta­tions and their down­stream consequences in brain tissue
• Learn and employ iPSC-based techniques
• Perform functional experi­ments on genetic mosaics and test thera­peutic approaches in vitro
• Development of user-friendly tools for data analysis and tracking of experiments
• Prepare and write manus­cripts for publication in inter­national scientific journals
• Oral presentation of results on local, national and inter­national conferences
• Interface between scientists working in the lab and bio­informatical analysis

Your qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, mole­cular medicine or a related field
• Technical knowledge on the field of cell bio­logy, geno­mics and sequen­cing and its impli­cations on data analysis would ideal
• Strong willingness to learn new tools for data analysis
• A keen interest in neuro­degenerative diseases
• English language is a prerequisite

We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are open-minded, creative team-player, enthusiastic, have strong analy­tical skills, think criti­cally and with good social skills.

The successful candi­date will be assisting to coordinate and direct the project. There­fore, excellent communi­cation skills and team wor­king skills are mandatory.

Review of appli­cations will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality – a forward-looking infra­structure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for inter­national exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Family-conscious corporate culture – because we know that family is important, we support you with parent-child-offices, family services and day­care co-operations
• Work-life balance – we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days’ holiday (on top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and sub­sidised job / Germany ticket options
• Personalised onboarding – for a good start to your new pro­fessional challenge
• Focus on development – excellent publication opportunities and great potential for the further develop­ment of your own research profile
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health pro­grammes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund – including annual special payment, capital-forming bene­fits and VBL supplemen­tary pension scheme

The DZNE is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to employing disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.