PhD Position in Deciphering the Action Mechanism of Fusogenic Liposomes, an Advanced Drug Delivery System

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Current drug delivery strategies predominantly use the endocytic pathway to deliver biomolecules into living cells. The main drawback of such endocytic uptake is the very intense degradation of the cargo. Alternatively, membrane fusion between liposomes and mammalian cells can be induced. Therefore, special liposomes with an unusually high fusion efficiency have been developed in IBI-2. Due to the complete mixing of the liposomal and cellular plasma membranes, cargo molecules can be effectively released into the plasma membrane or the cytoplasm, thereby avoiding degradation. In the last decade, their applications have become increasingly relevant; however, the exact fusion mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this work is to understand the role of a key component of the delivery system, the aromatic molecule, in inducing membrane fusion. Understanding the basic requirements of such molecules could advance the development of novel drug delivery systems that harness their pharmaceutical potential to treat inflammation, neurovascular degeneration, and cerebrovascular aging.

Institute issuing the offer: IBI-2

Your Job:

• Establishing a proper model membrane system to analyze membrane fusion events
• Investigating the molecular interaction of the aromatic compound with other lipid compounds of the delivery particles, depending on its polarity, aromaticity, and concentration
• Localization of the aromatic molecule within the initial lipid membrane as well as in the target membrane after the fusion process
• Identifying the impact of environmental conditions such as temperature and ionic concentration
• Based on the delocalized electron system, the aromatic molecules and their properties will be analyzed using fluorescence methods, e.g., spectroscopy and microscopy
• Computational simulation of the molecular interactions within the liposomal membrane in cooperation with expert teams
• Summarizing your results in manuscripts and presenting them at conferences

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, medical chemistry, pharmacology, or related fields
• Strong practical skills in chemical or biological laboratories
• Based on the complexity of the project, motivation to learn new skills to expand scientific knowledge
• High degree of analytical working style
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Our Offer:

We work on cutting-edge research topics with a high potential to positively impact society. We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE: You will participate in a world-leading, international research environment with state-of-the-art equipment
• RESEARCH & TEAM: Opportunity to work in the highly interdisciplinary and exciting field of pharmaceutical drug delivery, collaborating with chemists, physicists, neuroscientists, and engineers
• WORK-LIFE BALANCE: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• VACATION: You will receive 30 days of vacation
• KNOWLEDGE & DEVELOPMENT: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually, e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS): https://go.fzj.de/JuDocs
• SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• FAIR REMUNERATION: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (65%) of the TVöD-Bund. Additionally, you will receive a special payment (“Christmas bonus”) amounting to 60% of one month’s salary. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 69 and following of the PDF download): https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed
• PERSPECTIVE: The position is initially for a fixed term of 3,5 years

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and and on the targeted promotion of women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application via our Online-Recruitment-System!

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