Biologe (f / m / x)

The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) unites the Medical Faculty of Georg-August University and the University Hospital in an integration model. With over 9,700 employees, the UMG and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in the region. More than 60 clinics, institutes and departments stand for high-quality patient care, excellent research and modern teaching.

Göttingen as a city of science is located in the center of Germany and the University Medical Center Göttingen is integrated into an attractive network of university and non-university scientific institutions.

The Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University Medical Centre Göttingen is looking for a new position for the earliest start date

PhD student (f / m / d) - Advancing Research on childhood-onset neurometabolic diseases

part time, 25,025 hours per week, limited for a period of 3 years

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our Pediatric Neurology Laboratory at University Medical Center Göttingen, led by Prof. Dr. Jutta Gärtner.

This exciting research opportunity focuses on the molecular basis and pathogenesis of childhood-onset neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, particularly rare peroxisomal disorders such as X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). The primary goal is to improve diagnostic methods and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for these devastating conditions.

Research Focus : Childhood-onset rare neurometabolic disorders represent a complex and heterogeneous array of diseases with overlapping pathophysiological features. These predominantly genetic conditions manifest with symptoms like progressive movement disorders, hearing and vision loss, seizures, cognitive decline and early death if left untreated. Despite their severity, many remain enigmatic at the molecular level, with no effective treatments available.

Our research groups are at the forefront of advancing the clinical and molecular characterization neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, focusing on both well-characterized and unclear conditions. Our mission is to uncover biomarkers for earlier detection, deciphering disease mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The investigations are carried out in patient samples, patient-derived cell lines and disease models, thus bridging the gap between basic science and clinical applications.

This project will specifically focus on peroxisomal disorders like X-ALD, with an emphasis on exploring the underlying pathophysiological processes. The key areas of investigation will include the roles of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as primary drivers of disease progression.

Your tasks

• Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying childhood-onset neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory diseases, with a focus on X-ALD.
• Identify and validate biomarkers for early diagnosis and differentiation of disease courses.
• Explore oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as aspects of disease progression.
• Use patient-derived cell lines, cellular models, as well as the X-ALD mouse model for pathophysiological studies.
• Develop and refine high throughput suitable assays for drug repurposing screenings in collaboration with the DZKJ Screening Program.

Your qualifications

We offer

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lara Maleen Marten [email protected] .

Our goal as University Medical Center Göttingen is professional equality for all genders. We strive to equalize the gender ratio in areas where there is underrepresentation. The University Medical Center Göttingen is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled people and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal suitability, applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the relevant regulations. We kindly ask you to indicate a disability / equal status in your letter of application in order to safeguard your interests.