MSCA-DN PhD position in liquid biomarkers for leukodystrophies (Tübingen, GE)

About your role

You will contribute to the development and validation of liquid biomarkers for leukodystrophies. You will work with iPSC-derived disease models and patient samples, generate and analyse multi-omics data, and help identify biomarkers that can support diagnosis, disease monitoring and treatment evaluation.

You will work closely with researchers in human genetics, computational biology and clinical neurology and collaborate with POLARIS partners across Europe. Through planned secondments, you will gain experience in omics research, biomarker development and patient engagement.

You will have the opportunity to shape the focus of your research according to your background and interests, with an emphasis either on iPSC-based disease modelling or on computational analysis and integration of multi-omics data.
About you

We welcome applicants from two complementary backgrounds. You may have experience in iPSC-based disease modelling, stem-cell or cell biology and an interest in developing your data-analysis skills, or a background in bioinformatics, computational biology or statistics combined with a strong interest in disease biology.

You have:

• a Master's degree in life sciences, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related field;
• a solid understanding of molecular genetics, glial and myelin biology and rare neurological diseases;
• experience with either iPSC culture and differentiation or programming (Python and/or R), applied statistics and/or machine learning on omics data;
• an interest in translational research and biomarker development;
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently;
• good organisational and communication skills and an interest in working in an interdisciplinary and international environment. Experience in the complementary area, or with long-read sequencing data, is an advantage.Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.Eligibility criteriaImportant, strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs apply to applicants:
• You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• At the time of the application deadline, you must have a Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
• You will participate in the network-wide training programme of POLARIS, which includes (international) training activities and planned secondments with POLARIS partner organizations throughout the EU.
  Our offer
  
• A full-time, 3-year employment contract with the University Hospital Tübingen;
• Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules;
• Embedding in the international POLARIS doctoral training network;
• Access to network-wide training activities, secondments and transferable-skills development;
• A challenging and translational research project at the interface of computational biomarker discovery, rare disease biology and clinical translation;
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment;
• An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.