Header image Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

We are inviting applications for a

DFG-funded PhD position (m/f/d)

in the group of Prof. Dr. Michael Böttcher (www.boettcher-lab.net) at the Institute of Molecular Medicine (Universitätsmedizin Halle) in close collaboration with Dr. Markus Morkel (Charité Berlin). The project focuses on the identification and functional analysis of regulators of subcellular ERK1/2 activity in colorectal cancer.

Project Overview:

The MAPK pathway plays crucial roles in cancer cell proliferation, survival, and therapy resistance. This project aims to dissect the compartment-specific regulation of ERK1/2 signaling, understand its role in therapy resistance, and identify novel regulators using innovative CRISPR screening approaches combined with advanced imaging, single-cell transcriptomics, and phospho-proteomics.

Your Responsibilities:

Employ a novel dual-color ERK1/2 reporter system in colorectal cancer models
Perform high-content CRISPR screens to identify modulators of nuclear and cytoplasmic ERK1/2 activity
Validate and characterize candidate regulators via molecular biology, live-cell imaging, phospho-proteomics, and scRNA-seq
Explore the therapeutic relevance of newly identified ERK1/2 regulators

Your Profile:

Completed university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the life sciences
Interest in cancer biology, signal transduction, and CRISPR technologies
Experience with molecular cloning techniques
Experience with lentiviral transduction of human cells
Experience with genome editing in human cells
Programming skills in R and/or Python are a plus
Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work effectively in a team

We Offer:

Access to excellent facilities for flow cytometry, imaging, CRISPR screening, single-cell RNA sequencing, and proteomics
A highly collaborative project with opportunities for publications and participation in international conferences
Salary according to 13 TV-L (in part-time 65 %)
Funding for 3 years (with potential for extension)

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg gives priority to applications from severely disabled candidates with equivalent qualifications. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants with a foreign qualification have to submit the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education - ZAB (https://www.kmk.org/zab/statement-of-comparability.html).

Please send your application including registration number 7-050/25-D as a single PDF to Tanja Wolf email. The application should include a motivation letter, CV, contact details of two references. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Michael Böttcher email.

This job vacancy may be subject to budgetary restrictions.

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg will not reimburse application expenses.

Application Deadline: 27.06.2025

Apply now

Full-Time , Temporary

PhD Project

Updated at 06/06/2025

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