Job ID: 123512

Ph.D. student position in Molecular Neuroscience

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 30 September 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2025

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Berlin

Country: Germany

Institution: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Department: Institute of Biochemistry

Description:

Working at Charité

In the heart of Berlin, the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin is one of the largest and most research-intensive medical faculties in Europe. Our research group at the Institute of Biochemistry investigates the molecular mechanisms by which astrocytes provide crucial support to the central nervous system (CNS) and protect it from disease and injury. Our main focus is on recently discovered mechanisms of cytoskeleton-mediated membrane transport that are relevant for neuroprotection in traumatic brain and spinal cord injury.

Overview of the position

The DFG-funded research project is based in the CharitéCrossOver (CCO) at Campus Charité Mitte . The ideal candidate will study in astrocytes how the GTPases Rab8a and Rab8b facilitate the interaction of tubule-like endosomes with autophagosomes.  A key aspect of this research project will be to investigate how astrocytes use these membrane trafficking processes to regulate neuronal functions and provide protection in injury settings. In this project, cell culture experiments, real-time fluorescence microscopy of living cells, protein-biochemical analyses, immunohistochemistry and in vivo mouse models will be used.

Key responsibilities are to:

Conduct independent and collaborative research in the field of molecular neuroscience

Analyze and interpret experimental data

Assist in preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Present findings in seminars and at conferences

Collaborate with team members and contribute to ongoing projects

What we are looking for:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and determined PhD student to join the research group of Dr Kai Murk at the Institute of Biochemistry at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with a Master’s degree in life sciences (see below).

Requirements:

Master’s degree in neurobiology, cell biology, biochemistry or similar

Proof of motivation and scientific skills, preferably through published research papers and letters of recommendation

Preferably, the candidate has experimental experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, cell culture, (live) fluorescence microscopy (confocal, spinning disc and/or super resolution) and/or animal experiments with mice

A qualification to conduct animal experiments (FELASA B certificate) is desirable