We are looking for a Postdoc (m/f/d) investigating allelic gene regulation.

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics is world-class research institute based in Freiburg, Germany. We are looking for a postdoctoral scientist to work in the Department of Chromatin Regulation headed by Prof. Dr. Asifa Akhtar.

The Akhtar lab has a long-standing interest in gene dosage and understanding how epigenetic modifiers fine-tune transcription at both individual loci and at the chromosome-wide level (Valsecchi et al., 2021 Nature). While most genes tolerate mutation of one allele, dosage-sensitive genes known as haploinsufficient genes require the transcription of both maternal and paternal alleles. Mutation in just one allele of a haploinsufficient gene leads to disease. In our most recent work we utilized an elegant hybrid mouse model to reveal that the MSL complex component and chromatin regulator MSL2 ensures biallelic expression of this important class of genes (Sun et al., 2023 Nature). This study was the first to implicate a chromatin factor in controlling allelic expression and has opened up a new way of thinking about transcriptional regulation. In the future our lab plans to study how MSL2 identifies haploinsufficient genes, the molecular mechanism by which MSL2 and its interactors achieve transcriptional upregulation, as well as the physiological roles of allelic dosage regulation in different cell and tissue types in both mice and humans.

The position is available for an initial two-year appointment with the possibility of extension.

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (MPI-IE) in Freiburg, Germany is an interdisciplinary research institution that conducts basic research in two key areas of modern biology: Immunobiology and Epigenetics. Central questions address the molecular basis of cell type identities, as they are regulated during immune cell differentiation, metabolic response and epigenetic chromatin adaptation.

Your tasks

We are looking for an independent and motivated postdoctoral scientist interested in exploring allelic gene regulation in mammals. For this we seek applicants with a strong background in experimental work in mice and/or mouse or human cells. The recruited scientist will apply a combination of methodologies, including bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, chromosome conformation profiling (e.g. HiC, Micro-C, PLAC-seq/HiChIP), Nanopore long-read RNA/DNA sequencing, live-cell imaging, proteomics, metabolomics and/or other techniques, as appropriate.

Your qualifications

• Applicants should have an academic degree in life science plus a PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics and/or high-resolution imaging
• A minimum of two years of experience working with one or more out of the following three model systems is required: 1) mouse tissues or primary mouse cell culture, 2) maintenance and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into different lineages, and/or 3) maintenance and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into different lineages
• Experience with organoids would be a plus
• Prior experience in standard molecular biology techniques is required
• Candidates should have at least one first author publication
• The ability to work in a team, communication skills and experience in the supervision of graduate students would be assets

Our offer

Located in a region that connects Germany, France and Switzerland, our institute offers an international research environment with outstanding infrastructure facilities and a positive working atmosphere that places a high value on work-life balance.

• Payment according to TVöD up to a maximum of E13 if the collectively agreed and personal requirements are fulfilled
• Social benefits in line with public service (VBL)
• Additional performance-related remuneration component
• Professional training and development opportunities
• Good public transport connections and subsidy for job ticket
• Challenging work in a modern working environment
• Mobile working at a location of your choice within Germany is possible up to a maximum of 40% of the regular weekly working hours in justified cases.
• Family-friendly offers (affiliated day care center at the institute, parent-child room, breastfeeding room)

We value and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, so we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from severely disabled people. We would also like to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.

Your application

Have we sparked your interest? Please submit your complete application, including a statement of research interests and a CV via our online application portal until 13 May 2024. At the same time, please ask three of your referees to send recommendation letters to shvedunova@ie-freiburg.mpg.de.

Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Stübeweg 51
79108 Freiburg
Germany