Postdoctoral Researcher for Neurometabolic Disease Modeling in Zebrafish and Mouse

The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Luxembourg. We conduct fundamental and translational research in the field of Systems Biology and Biomedicine – in the lab, in the clinic and in silico. We focus on neurodegenerative processes and are especially interested in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and their contributing factors. 

The LCSB recruits talented scientists from various disciplines: computer scientists, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, engineers, physicists and clinicians from more than 50 countries currently work at the LCSB. We excel because we are truly interdisciplinary and together we contribute to science and society.

Your Role...

Successful candidates will join the Enzymology & Metabolism group, led by Prof. Carole Linster, which deciphers the cellular metabolism in rare and more common neurodegenerative or neurometabolic diseases. We exploit genomic and post-genomic data to fill gaps in metabolic networks, discover new enzyme functions, and elucidate their role in disease. For more information, please visit our website. The open position is part of the NAXDivo Core project, funded by the Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR), which aims at generating and analyzing whole organism models (zebrafish and mouse) to dissect the pathophysiology of a recently identified rare pediatric neurometabolic disorder. The approach involves mainly deep longitudinal phenotyping at the transcriptome, metabolome, and brain morphology levels. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with the LCSB core facilities, as well as the Mittelbronn, Skupin, and Heneka groups.

Main tasks:

• Generate mutant and transgenic reporter lines in zebrafish and mouse
• Participate in all the metabolomic and singe cell transcriptomic aspects of the study, from sample preparation to data analysis
• Immunohistochemical analysis of neuronal, astroglial and microglial markers in zebrafish and mouse brain samples
• In vivo imaging of specific brain cells in the transgenic zebrafish and mouse lines
• Develop phenotypic rescue assays, based on selected readouts, in the generated disease models to test small molecule drug candidates
• Modern data management and precise project documentation
• Work in a collaborative environment, also with different service-based core platforms (animal, sequencing, metabolomics, and imaging facilities)
• Active participation in group meetings
• Independent drafting of project reports and potentially grant proposals
• Write manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as present research findings at international scientific meetings

For further information, please contact Assoc. Prof. Carole Linster (email address: carole.linster@uni.lu). Use the job title and reference number mentioned above in the subject line of your email.

What we expect from you…

• PhD degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, or another similar life science-related discipline
• Strong drive for experimental work, including the handling of model organisms, and a high curiosity to decipherdisease mechanisms
• Strong theoretical background and practical experience in neurosciences, with a keen interest for neurometabolism
• Experience with molecular biology and advanced microscopy techniques is essential
• Previous experience with zebrafish and/or mouse models as well as omics data generation and analysis will be considered as important assets
• Solid bioinformatic and biostatistics skills will be required
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluency in oral and written English is essential

Here’s what awaits you at the LCSB...

• Excellent work environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, laboratory and administrative support
• Truly connected. We work together with hospitals and research institutes on a national and international level as well as industrial partners. Connection between science and society is very important to us. From our school lab – the Scienteens Lab – to the different outreach activities and collaborative partnerships with patient associations, we love to listen to society’s needs and share our passion for science
• Be part of a multicultural team. At the LCSB we have more than 50 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

Find out more about us!

In Short...

• Contract type: Befristeter Vertrag 24 Monat (with possibility for extension)
• Work hours: Full Time 40.0 Stunden pro Woche
• Location: Belval
• Job reference: UOL05659

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 79095 full time

How to apply...

Applications (in English) should contain the following documents:

• A detailed Curriculum vitae including a list of publications
• A cover letter that includes a brief description of previous research experience and the motivation for the specific advertised position
• Copies of diploma and transcripts
• Name and contact details of at least three referees

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

About the University of Luxembourg...

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and has more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.