Postdoctoral Position - IBCS-BIP/KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany
A phylogenetically anchored multi-OMICS approach to chemical hazard prediction
A postdoctoral position is available as part of the EU H2020 project “PrecisionTox: Toward Precision Toxicology: New Approach Methodologies for Chemical Safety” at the IBCS-BIP/Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
The project aims to use OMICS data from a range of divergent model organisms to derive phylogenetically conserved predictors of adverse compound effects. Organisms will be exposed to a set of 250 model compounds and data on transcriptomic and metabolomic effects of the exposure will be acquired. Selected compounds will be chosen for fine-grained mechanistic studies, involving e.g. single cell RNAseq or automated behavioral assays, thereby linking altered patterns of gene expression and metabolism to physiological effects. These data will reveal which specific changes in genetic and metabolic markers predict compound-induced hazardous alterations of specific organismal functions.
In your project, you will be responsible for the zebrafish part of the project. You will conduct the initial exposure and sampling experiments and contribute to data analysis within the consortium. You will flag compounds for detailed analysis employing the wealth of resources for OMICS, genetics and imaging studies available in the zebrafish model system. From these studies, you will derive new insights on how compound induced (de-)regulation of gene expression and metabolism impacts on embryonic development, physiology and/or behavior.
The IBCS-BIP at the Karlsruhe Institute of technology (KIT) offers excellent laboratory space and equipment, state of the art fish facilities, a zebrafish screening center and a stimulating scientific environment. The KIT also hosts the European Zebrafish Resource Center (EZRC), which allows for easy access to a wealth of transgenic lines and mutants. Outside KIT, project partners include groups at universities, research institutes and companies, for example in Birmingham, Leipzig and Paris.
The position is available immediately. Funding is initially provided for a period of 1 year (full-time), with the possibility of extension for up to 3 years. Part-time employment is also possible.
Eligible candidates should hold a doctoral degree in life sciences and should have a strong background in OMICS technologies. Previous experience with zebrafish and/or with chemical screening technologies are additional assets.
KIT aims to balance the number of female and male employees. We therefore kindly ask female researchers to apply. If qualified, applicants with disabilities will be preferred.
Applications must include a letter of motivation, an informative CV, a list of publications, and the names and contact details of at least two potential referees.Application deadline is April 7th, 2021. All documents should be merged into a single pdf file, labelled with the applicant´s surname, and be sent by email to:
Dr. Thomas Dickmeis
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP)
Karlsruhe, Germany
Email: thomas.dickmeis@kit.edu
Web: https://bip.ibcs.kit.edu/index.php