PhD position on molecular and cellular effects of toxin resistance mutations

at  MaxPlanckInstitut fr chemische kologie

Applications are invited for a
PhD position on molecular and cellular effects of toxin resistance mutations
Supervisor: Shabnam Mohammadi, Max Planck Research Group Leader
Group: Evolutionary and Integrative Physiology
Salary level: 65 % E 13
Start date: 1st Nov 2024 is preferred
End of employment period: The initial fixed term is three years.
Scope of work: full-time (39 hours per week)
Job Description
The group’s current work is focused on understanding how novel protein functions (e.g., resistance to toxins) evolve. We investigate broad-scale patterns of evolution as well as mechanisms of adaptation at different hierarchical levels of biological organization. Consequently, our work covers genomic evolution (in silico), molecular function (in vitro), and whole organism physiology (in vivo). We are currently applying this interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the evolution of cardiotonic steroid resistance in vertebrates. For more information about our work, please visit .
The project aims to elucidate the effects that resistance-producing mutations have on protein function and cell physiology. You will address this goal by combining the functional characterization of recombinant proteins with assays of transgenic cells in an experimentally defined framework. You will have the option to apply this approach to examine the evolution of cardiotonic steroid resistance in several predator species, including snakes, frogs, birds, and mammals. You will measure the effects that mutations have on protein function, cell signaling, and cellular homeostasis. The data obtained will allow you to correlate the gene-, protein, and cell-level consequences and benefits of cardiotonic steroid resistance. Depending on your interests, this project can develop to address more detailed questions about the evolution cardiotonic steroid resistance and/or be developed into a comparative study involving multiple species.
The Max Planck Society is one of Europe’s leading research organizations and conducts basic research in the natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities. The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena carries out fundamental research on how organisms communicate with each other via chemical signals. We analyze ecological interactions with molecular, chemical and neurobiological techniques. In the Institute, organic chemists, biochemists, ecologists, entomologists, behavioral scientists, insect geneticists and physiologists work in collaboration to unravel the complexity of chemical communication that occurs in nature.
The Max Planck Society is committed to gender equality and diversity and actively supports the reconciliation of work and family life. We want to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. The Max Planck Society has also set itself the goal of employing more persons with severe disabilities. We therefore encourage them to apply. We also welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Have we sparked your interest? Please apply. We are looking forward to getting your complete application documents.

Please refer the Job description for details