PhD / Doctoral Position

PhD / Doctoral Position

The Group of Reproductive Biology of the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich www.vetanat.uzh.ch is looking for a candidate for a PhD/doctoral position in the field of comparative reproductive endocrinology.

Highly motivated graduate students with vet-med degree, interested in reproductive endocrinology, are welcomed to apply for this position.

The project is SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation) funded. The position is available for 3 years and will research into molecular mechanisms of hypoxia and HIF1α-mediated responses in steroidogenic cells (granulosa cells, Leydig cells and adrenal cells). The employment will adhere to the salary rules of SNSF and UZH for doctoral students.

The focus of our research, STAR protein, plays a rate-limiting part in the provision of steroids and is an important factor in the regulation of homeostasis, affecting the role of several organ systems, including the reproductive organs and adrenals. Thus, understanding the basic regulatory mechanisms involved in steroidogenesis is of special physiological and clinical relevance. The multiple signaling events controlling steroidogenesis involve the cross-talk between different regulatory pathways, with hypoxia/HIF1a-mediated effects playing important roles as an integral part of physiological regulations. The regulatory pathways described in our research group emphasize the need for further investigations into the complex nature of these processes (for more details see: drive.switch).
The acquired knowledge could potentially be applied for modulation of physiological
processes or for determining molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of steroid hormone-related clinical/pathological conditions.

PhD / Doctoral Position

• Working on the research project, writing a dissertation
• Contribution to anatomical dissection courses for vet-med students is expected
• Previous experience in molecular and/or cell biology methods is welcomed but not mandatory
• Good command in English, willingness to learn German
• The successful candidate will contribute to the collaborative atmosphere with good team spirit in the lab

Highly motivated graduate students with veterinary medicine (Tierärztin/Tierarzt) degree and interested in reproductive endocrinology are welcomed to apply for this position.

We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment.
Diversity and inclusion are important to us. The candidate will have the opportunity to perform doctoral/PhD work, training in molecular- and cell-biology methods, dedicated international team and pleasant working environment in Zurich.

Prof. Dr. Mariusz P. Kowalewski, PhD