PhD Positions

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101311592

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: Yes

Offer Description

Medical University of Graz

Project Title: Cell-based characterization of IDRs binding to β-catenin

Objectives:

1. Characterize interaction of novel IDRs with β-catenin in cells.
2. Reveal the functional consequences of β-catenin-mediated regulation of novel IDR-containing proteins.
3. Identify how novel β-catenin inhibitors regulate formation of transcriptional condensates and gene transcription.

Project Overview: We aim to improve our understanding of interactions and functional consequences of the IDR/β-catenin network. Recently, several labs, including the Madl lab, have shown that β-catenin, like several other TFs, partitions into biomolecular condensates with the transcriptional machinery and that this is necessary for efficient transcriptional activation. Perturbing condensates is currently actively explored as a potential therapeutic strategy, and a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate condensation informs these efforts. This project builds on expertise in transcription factor condensate and cell biology in the Madl group at MUG, also involving expertise in cellular models (Boehringer Ingelheim) and mass spectrometry (Bonaldi, UMI) to characterize the interaction network of IDRs with β-catenin and RNA in cells, functional consequences and modulation of β-catenin/IDR interactions by inhibitors. The innovation is the focus on transcriptional condensates as a novel and promising target for inhibitors, which is strongly facilitated in this doctoral network. These combined efforts will answer conceptual questions about β-catenin role in regulating TFs via formation of transcriptional condensates and the functional consequences of inhibiting TF recruitment to these condensates. Contribution to the overall research program: Understanding of the mechanism of β-catenin regulation of transcriptional condensates to reveal potential new targeting mechanisms and cellular pathways.

Skills and research profile: We seek a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, or a related field and a keen interest in transcriptional regulation, intrinsically disordered proteins, and biomolecular condensates. Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, fluorescence microscopy, protein–protein interaction studies, and/or gene-expression analysis is highly desirable. Experience with advanced imaging, transcriptional assays, proteomics, or quantitative analysis of biomolecular condensates is advantageous but not essential. The candidate should be interested in combining cell-based characterization of β-catenin/IDR interactions with functional studies of transcriptional condensates, gene regulation, and pharmacological perturbation using novel β-catenin inhibitors. Strong analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and willingness to undertake international secondments within the FlexCAT network are expected.

Salary: The position is funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA-DN project FlexCAT (Grant Agreement No. 101311592) for three years. The selected candidate will be offered a competitive salary comprising a Living Allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient), a Mobility Allowance, and, if applicable, a Family Allowance. All allowances are subject to applicable social security contributions and taxation. Subject to availability, additional funding may be provided by the host institution and/or the supervising PI to support employment for a fourth year, where required or beneficial for completion of the doctoral programme.

Planned secondment: to be determined

Purpose: Interaction studies of selected novel IDRs with β-catenin in cells.

Enrolment in Doctoral degree(s): International PhD Program BioMolStruct at MUG (Madl)

How to apply: Applications are exclusively accepted through the Recruitment Portal (https://phdrecruiting.medunigraz.at/). The required information is specified in the recruitment portal and comprises:

• Motivation statement for selected DC projects
• Detailed CV; publication list if applicable
• BSc/MSc diplomas and academic transcripts/supplements
• Contact details for two referees

Applications will be assessed for eligibility and scientific/academic quality. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The final selection will follow the open, transparent and merit-based recruitment principles of MSCA.

Key dates:

• Applications open: 15 September 2026
• Applications close: 31 October 2026
• Online pre-interviews: early November 2026
• Final interviews: late November/early December 2026
• Decisions and offers: mid-December 2026
• Start: January 2027 – March 2027

Where to apply

Website: https://phd-recruiting.medunigraz.at/

Requirements

• Research Field: Chemistry
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. To be eligible for recruitment as an MSCA Doctoral Candidate, applicants must fulfil the following criteria at the date of recruitment:

• Education – you do not hold a doctoral degree and hold (or will shortly complete) a science Master’s degree (see individual project requirements), with excellent results, qualifying you for admission to the doctoral program of the respective host institution. The successful candidate must fulfil the admission requirements of the respective doctoral programme and will be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project.
• Mobility - you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in recruiting beneficiary’s country for more than 12 months during the 36 months before your recruitment. Compulsory national service, holidays/short stays and time spent obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention4 are not considered for this purpose.
• Language & communication – excellent command of spoken and written English (min. B2 level). Ability to communicate results clearly to diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.
• Motivation – motivation for multidisciplinary, international doctoral research, hands-on experimental work, mandatory academic/industy secondment(s), to publish research findings in international journals, present results at conferences and contribute to project deliverables. Willingness to contribute to project network-wide activities, communication, training events, and dissemination efforts.
• Technical skills – specific to the individual DC project (see individual project descriptions).

Specific Requirements

Skills and research profile: We seek a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, or a related field and a keen interest in transcriptional regulation, intrinsically disordered proteins, and biomolecular condensates. Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, fluorescence microscopy, protein–protein interaction studies, and/or gene-expression analysis is highly desirable. Experience with advanced imaging, transcriptional assays, proteomics, or quantitative analysis of biomolecular condensates is advantageous but not essential. The candidate should be interested in combining cell-based characterization of β-catenin/IDR interactions with functional studies of transcriptional condensates, gene regulation, and pharmacological perturbation using novel β-catenin inhibitors. Strong analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and willingness to undertake international secondments within the FlexCAT network are expected.

• Languages: ENGLISH
• Level: Excellent
• Research Field: Chemistry
• Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Additional Information

Selection process

Applications will be assessed for eligibility and scientific/academic quality. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The final selection will follow the open, transparent and merit-based recruitment principles of MSCA.

Website for additional job details: https://phd-recruiting.medunigraz.at/

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Medical University of Graz
• Country: Austria
• City: Graz

Contact

• City: Graz
• Website: https://phd-recruiting.medunigraz.at/