PhD position available in the lab

Thanks to recent funding from the Austrian Science Fund, we are looking for a PhD student to work on our collaborative “BEAT-IT” research group.

The overall aim of the research group is to understand how the re-wiring of cell death networks contributes to B cell cancer development and therapy-related relapse. The multidisciplinary BEAT-IT research team is comprised of groups from the Medical University of Innsbruck (the Riley, Labi and Villunger labs) and the University of Innsbruck (the Finotello lab).

The project: We have previously shown that cells treated with sub-lethal doses of anti-cancer drugs can undergo transformation and more readily form tumours, a process driven by partial activation of the mitochondrial cell death pathway called “minority MOMP” (Cao, Riley et al., Developmental Cell, 2022; Ichim et al., Molecular Cell, 2015). In this PhD project, we aim to explore how minority MOMP contributes to the early stages of B cell cancer development and whether current anti-cancer therapies induce minority MOMP, which could explain why patients often relapse.

You will combine analysis of genetic models of B cell cancers with imaging technologies, cell biology, molecular and biochemical approaches to systematically understand how the re-wiring of cell death signalling pathways contributes to the occurrence of B cell cancers. Underpinning this work is advanced multi-omics sequencing and analysis by the Finotello lab, which will feedback and inform the wet-lab studies.

The lab: We are based in the Biocenter at the Medical University of Innsbruck, which offers an international and collaborative research environment with fantastic core technologies in advanced super-resolution imaging, flow cytometry, proteomics and animal facilities. Innsbruck is a vibrant student city, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps.

Questions? Email joel.riley@i-med.ac.at, or to find out more about the lab and what we work on visit riley-lab.com.

To apply: Please send a short statement of why you think you are a good fit for this project, details of your past research experience, a CV and the contact information of two of your former supervisors/mentors. Anticipated starting date is September/October 2023. Previous experience in cell biology is desired, but not required. Enthusiasm for exploring the unknown, intellectual independence and the ability to work well in a team is expected, and strong English language skills are required.

Applications close on 15th August 2023 and will be assessed on an ongoing basis.