Postdoctoral Researcher (all genders) - Department of Endocrinology

Main tasks

Our laboratory broadly studies how brain and body talk to each other in health and disease. Our research is primarily hypothesis-driven and based on the overarching premise that understanding physiology is a prerequisite for making sense of pathology. We are also convinced that innovative therapeutic approaches are discovered at the intersection of fields. We combine ideas and tools from a range of disciplines including metabolism research, neurosciences, (comparative) physiology, evolutionary biology and biochemistry, among others.

We recently discovered a set of stereotypical, adaptive dietary preferences during recovery from catabolic states, which are relayed by a gut-to-brain pathway (Jaschke et al., Cell ). Based on these insights, we now want to understand how nutrient set points are regulated across a wider range of physiological states including development, what the underlying logic of these adjustments is, and which neuroendocrine pathways mediate them.

Our lab is embedded in a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning clinicians, immunologists, infectious disease and metabolism researchers and physically located in the newly built Hamburg Center of Translational Immunology (HCTI). Our lab space is equipped with state-of-the-art tools, and we have access to a range of core facilities. We maintain our independent rodent colony comprising multiple transgenic mouse strains. We closely collaborate with a range of laboratories on campus, nationally as well as internationally including labs at Yale School of Medicine as well as the University of Colorado Boulder. Scientists from your group will join cross-institutional lab meetings and have the option to visit collaborators on-site to acquire new technical skills, if necessary. We have acquired multiple large volume third-party fundings, allowing us to both broadly survey interesting ideas, while also perform mechanistic in-depth studies.

We are a dynamic and highly motivated team that deeply appreciates diverse perspectives from different fields.

Your tasks:

• Experimental in vivo and in vitro work including planning of experimental design, documentation and statistical analysis of results; interpretation, discussion and presentation of results
• Rodent colony management and assistance with animal protocols
• Contributing to a stimulating, curiosity-driven, collaborative research environment
• Scientific publishing

This position is temporary for 3 years due to third-party funding.

Your Profile

• Completed academic studies (Master or equivalent)
• A doctoral in biology, veterinary medicine or related fields
• A background in metabolism research, developmental biology, general physiology, comparative physiology, neurosciences, or neuroscience-related fields is favorable
• At least 3 years of experience in working with mice
• Successful completion of animal training courses (FELASA B or ideally, FELASA C)
• Publication record demonstrating successful performance of high-quality research
• 2 letters of recommendation from former mentors (to be submitted with application)
• Curiosity and passion for scientific discovery
• Broad scientific interests

Immunity status

Please note that employment is contingent upon proof of immunization or immunity against the measles virus, in accordance with applicable legal and medical requirements. Documentation (e.g., vaccination certificate) must be provided before employment begins.

Our Offer

If you decide to join our group, you will be closely mentored by the PI and trained to become and independent scientist and thinker. We will also support a possible transition into scientific independence including training in grant writing.

• Attractive compensation according to TVöD/VKA
• Secure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaboration
• Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team
• Extensive training and further education programs at our UKE Academy for Education and Careers
• Opportunities to contribute to our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projects
• Sustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle service
• Family-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
• Excellent health, wellness, and sports programs
• A wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarket