Open positions
8 PhD (ESR) positions are available for the Marie Skłodowska Curie ETN -training network “Improving Genome Editing Efficiency” (IMGENE)
STARTING DATE: March 2018, DURATION: 36 Months
APLICATION DEADLINE: November 30th
EU RESEARCH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME:H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER: 765269
Project background and goal
CRISPR genome editing technology is considered to become the greatest technological improvement in biomedical research since the invention of the polymerase chain reaction 25 years ago and pharmaceutical companies as well as academic research are eager to apply it. However, the efficiency of introducing defined changes into the genome by CRISPR is still low, currently limiting its application in basic research, industry and gene therapy. The IMGENE consortium unites expert European research groups of academia and industry to address by innovative and complementary approaches the low efficiency of precise genome editing using CRISPR technology. Combining complementary knowledge on protein chemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, viral vectors, transgenic mice, gene therapy, and bioinformatics present in the network, IMGENE will establish novel tools and protocols for improved CRISPR genome editing efficiency that will be of immediate benefit for health and life science research, the pharmaceutical industry, and the application of gene therapy. In addition, IMGENE addresses crucial ethical questions related to the application of genome editing technology in animals, plants, and humans, which have to be solved to gain acceptance by the society.
Eligibility criteria Applicants need to fully comply with three eligibility criteria
1. Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who, at the time of recruitment by the host, are in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. Please note that applicants cannot already hold a PhD at the time of recruitment.
2. Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
3. English language: Network ESRs must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training
qualified candidates can apply for more then one PhD position within IMGENE network
OPEN POSITION: (All Call closed):
ERS 1: HDR-CRISPR: a novel system to promote homology directed DNA repair (HDR) using CRISPR. (Work location: Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Project supervisor: Dr. Claudio Mussolino).
ESR 2: Viral-assisted delivery of structurally modified donor DNA and CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases for efficient genome editing. (Work location: Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. Supervisor: Manuel A.F.V. Gonçalves).
ESR 3: New transgenic models of rare diseases generated using programmable nucleases: CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing of germline cells. (Work location: Institute of Molecular Genetics, the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic. Supervisor: Radislav Sedlacek, Doc, PhD).
ESR 4: Increased CRISPR genome editing efficiency by altering expression of DNA repair associated genes. (Work location: Copenhagen Center for Glycomics (Mærsk Tower, 10th floor), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen. Supervisor: Hans Wandall and Eric P. Bennett).
ERS 5: Improving CRISPR genome editing efficiency by modifying epigenetic marks (Work location: Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Kbh. N. BRIC is located close to the centre of Copenhagen. Supervisor: Cord Brakebusch).
ERS 6: Increase the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knock-in. (Work location: Gothenburg-Sweden. Supervisor: Marcello Maresca).
ERS 7: Enhancing CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair (HDR) by targeting the double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway choice.(Work location: Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin. Germany. Supervisor: Ralf Kühn).
ESR 8: Facilitated genome editing as responsible research and innovation (Work location: The work will be based in the Laboratory Animal Science group at IBMC/i3S, University of Porto, Portugal, supervisor: Dr Anna Olsson).
Additional information
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions offer attractive salary and working conditions The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the national legislation of the recruiting institution and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment
In addition to their individual scientific projects, all ESR will benefit from further continuing education, which includes scientific skills courses, transferable skills courses, as well as active participation in workshops and conferences and secondments to partner labs.
Each ESR will be hired for 3 years, full time.
The European IMGENE training network wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.