1 Doctoral Student (m/f/d)

German Institute of Human Nutrition; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 50.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prestigious research institute in Germany offers a PhD position for a Doctoral Student focusing on cardiac aging and nutrition, starting February 1st, 2026. Candidates should possess a relevant Master’s degree and demonstrate strong knowledge in molecular biology and microscopy techniques. The candidate will investigate the impact of autophagy in cardiac cell senescence. Remuneration follows TV-L level 13 guidelines, along with family-friendly conditions and excellent research support.

Leistungen

Remuneration according to TV-L, level 13

30 days of vacation

Family-friendly working conditions

Jobticket for public transport

Qualifikationen

• Must have an excellent M.Sc. degree or equivalent in biomedical or nutritional sciences.
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques and cell culture is essential.
• Experience with various microscopy techniques is desired.

Aufgaben

• Investigate the role of autophagy in cardiac cell aging.
• Analyze systemic and cardiac autophagy changes during aging.
• Collaborate on research involving heart cells and nutrition.

Kenntnisse

Excellent M.Sc. degree in biomedical or nutritional sciences

Knowledge in molecular biology

Experience with microscopy

Openness to animal experiments

Experience with hiPSC cardiomyocytes

Independent data analysis

Motivation for interdisciplinary collaboration

Ausbildung

Master Degree or equivalent

Tools

Prism

Jobbeschreibung

Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences

Organisation/Company German Institute of Human Nutrition Department CAN Research Field Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 4 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2025_W10_E Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) is a member of the Leibniz Association. The institute’s mission is to conduct experimental and clinical research in the field of nutrition and health, with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of nutrition-dependent diseases, and of developing new strategies for treatment and prevention

The Junior Research Group Cardiac Aging and Nutrition (CAN) investigates molecular mechanisms of cardiac aging under the impact of metabolic stress and nutrition. The focus is on how proteolysis, especially autophagy, can influence cardiac cell senescence and energy metabolism in the heart, and how nutrition modulates these processes.

The Junior Research Group CAN is looking for

1 Doctoral Student (m/f/d)

starting on February 1st, 2026.

As part of a project funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), the successful candidate will investigate the role of autophagy in the senescence of heart cells during healthy and pathological aging. Comparative analyses will be performed in appropriate mouse models to determine how systemic and cardiac autophagy change during aging and heart disease. At the same time, an analysis of systemic autophagy and senescence markers in human PBMCs will be performed to identify potential differences in the markers during aging and heart disease.

The main points to be addressed are the following:

• Analyze the potential differences between autophagy and senescence in cardiac cells during physiological aging and in heart diseases (heart failure)
• Investigate the impact of immune cells (macrophages) on cardiomyocyte senescence as well as the impact of cardiomyocytes (in vivo aging and during altered autophagy) on macrophage polarization
• Study the effect of senescence-associated secretory phenotype of aging non-myocytes on metabolism and function of cardiomyocytes
• Determine whether senolytica affect autophagy in nutrition-mediated premature aging

Requirements and Skills:

• Excellent M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in the areas biomedical or nutritional sciences
• Knowledge in molecular biology (immunoblot/IP, RNA isolation, qPCR quantification, ELISA, etc.) and cell culture (conventional and primary cell cultures)
• Experienced with and high motivated for microscopy (preparation and staining (IF, IHC), confocal and fluorescence microscopy, analysis and evaluation)
• Openness to conducting animal experiments; FELASA course desirable, not required
• Experience with hiPSC cardiomyocytes desirable
• Independent data analysis and statistical evaluation (e. g. with Prism)
• Very high motivation and willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration in a diverse research environment

We offer:

• Intensive scientific support, close collaboration with cooperating institutions and enrolment in a local PhD program
• Excellent technical equipment, a wide range of experimental methods and a dynamic and interactive research environment
• Remuneration according to TV-L, level 13 (65 %),plus annual special payment and company pension scheme
• Family-friendly working conditions (certificate “audit berufundfamilie”)
• Supporting of mobility with a jobticket for using the public transport
• Easy accessibility by public transport or car (including free parking)
• 30 days of vacation
• Participation in the benefits program for employees (“Corporate Benefits”)

The advertised position is available for 3 years.

We look forward to welcoming a team player with high problem-solving skills, excellent achievements and a high level of commitment.

We look forward to your application!

Please send your documents (cover letter explaining your motivation, CV, copies of degrees/certificates and references) with reference number 2025_W10_E as a single pdf-file before January 4th, 2026 via e-mail to [e-mail] .

We process your application documents for the purpose of carrying out the application procedure in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR, Art. 88 GDPR. For more information on the collection, processing and use of personal data by the German Institute of Human Nutrition as part of the application process and your rights under data protection law, please contact the Department of Human Resources and Social Services ( [e-mail] ).

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalent