PhD student (m/f/d)

You are interest in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology and related fields. The position will be within the laboratory of Professor Georg Häcker at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Freiburg (Germany).

Research focus:

The response of human and mouse cells to bacterial (or viral) infection depends on signals in numerous molecular pathways. We are in particular interest in the contribution from mitochondria to these signals. This project will study the response of epithelial cells to infection with the stomach-dwelling bacterium Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori initiates mitochondrial signaling, and we will focus on signals we have identified in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway but in the absence of cell death (sub-lethal signals). We want to understand how the signals are generated by the cell, how they are transmitted to mitochondria, and what their physiological consequences are. We will use models of varying complexity, from cell lines over organoids to a limited number of mouse experiments. We apply multidisciplinary approaches, combining cutting-edge microscopy, molecular/cell biology and biochemical approaches for studying signalling at numerous steps. Candidates with experience in microbiology, molecular or cell biology and biochemistry are specifically encouraged to apply.