PhD student (f/m/d) | Imaging oogenesis live by light sheet microscopy

 

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences is a leading international research institute of exceptional scientific breadth. With more than 40 research groups and some 1,000 employees from over 50 nations, it is the largest institute of the Max Planck Society.

The research group of Cytoskeletal Dynamics in Oocytes (Dr. Peter Lenart) is inviting applications for a

PhD student (f/m/d)
Imaging oogenesis live by light sheet microscopy

The Lenart lab is interested in the evolutionarily conserved mechanism of oocyte development, the process essential to produce the fertilizable egg. As experimental systems, we use diverse marine model species that are exceptionally suited for live cell microscopy due to their transparency, rapid development and easy handling. For example, our work in starfish oocytes revealed previously completely unanticipated functions of the actin cytoskeleton in mediating the breakdown of the nuclear envelope (eLife 2020), and chromosome capture (JCB, 2018). By studying starfish oocytes, we also gained key insights into how centrioles are eliminated during oogenesis (JCB, 2016), and how cortical dynamics supports the extremely asymmetric meiotic divisions (Nat. Comm. 2017).

The agencies DFG and ANR recently awarded funding to our collaborative project with Evelyn Houliston (Institute de la Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer) and Jan Huisken (University of Göttingen). The overall aim of the project is to gain insights into so-far poorly understood early steps of oogenesis and oocyte growth. For this, we will take advantage of Clytia hemisphaerica, a jellyfish model species established by Evelyn Houliston’s laboratory. In Clytia, oocyte growth and maturation is completed in less than 24h within the isolated and fully transparent ovary. Custom light sheet microscopes developed jointly with the Huisken lab will allow us to fully exploit the unique advantage provided by Clytia ovaries. Combined with the array of molecular and genetic tools already established in Clytia, this will enable us to follow in real time and within the intact ovary how the oocyte grows, and how its polarized organization is established during this growth process.

Your profile

The successful candidate has a keen interest and initial experience in basic research in the areas of molecular cell and developmental biology and/or microscopy or related fields, and a strong interest to learn and apply a wide range of microscopy and imaging related techniques. Eligible candidates hold (or expect to complete soon) a Master’s or equivalent degree in these areas or a related field.

What we offer

• An open, welcoming, friendly, international, collaborative environment.
• Inspiring, world-class, competitive research.
• Further training and career development opportunities; free in-house language courses.
• Free fitness and yoga room, sports groups, and a beach volleyball league.
• Help to balance work and family including on-campus kindergarten and parent-child offices.
• Initiatives for sustainability and a green environment with an on-site biotope.

About us

Based at one of Germany’s premier research campuses, our department has access to leading-edge infrastructure in all areas of cell and molecular biology as well as cutting-edge microscopy. We are an international team and our working language is English; knowledge of German is not required. The historic city of Göttingen, located in the centre of Germany, offers great outdoors and cultural opportunities, a vibrant student scene, and an impressive scientific heritage.

Position details

PhD students will be funded for three years (with a possibility of extension) and have the opportunity to enrol in one of several PhD programs in collaboration with the University of Göttingen. Payment and benefits are based on the German Public Service Payscale (TVöD Bund) guidelines. While the starting date is flexible, ideally the candidate would join our team starting from March 1, 2023.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Interested candidates should submit their application including cover letter (explaining background and motivation), CV, transcripts, publication list, and the contact details of at least 2 academic referees preferably via e-mail as a single PDF file to ausschreibung75-22@mpinat.mpg.de.

Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
Research group “Cytoskeletal dynamics in oocytes”
Dr. Peter Lenart
Am Faßberg 11
37077 Göttingen
Germany