//     APPLICATIONS

              to the international PhD program CaVX

Currently, we have 5 open positions:

PhD position in endocrine and neuronal cell function in a Cav1.3 disease mouse model (M/W/D)

A PhD position is available in the group led by Nadine J. Ortner at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (Institute of Pharmacy) at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The position will be available starting from 12th of May 2025.

The PhD project will investigate the in vivo effects of a human pathogenic CACNA1D (L-type Cav1.3 calcium channel) variant in one of the first construct-valid mouse models for neurodevelopmental disorder-associated CACNA1D channelopathies (Cav1.3A749G mouse line, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37698939/). Using electrophysiological recordings and Ca2+ imaging in ex vivo brain and adrenal gland tissue slices, the student will determine potential effects on the excitability of neuronal and endocrine cells that might underlie (some of) the symptoms in affected patients (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32583268/). This functional characterization will be complemented by studying changes on the morphological level (e.g. dendrite & spine morphology) in brain slices and neuronal cultures. Ultimately, the student will perform pharmacological rescue experiments to test potential therapeutic strategies, including the application of clinically available L-type calcium channel inhibitors (e.g. dihydropyridines, DHPs) or selective inhibition of Cav1.3 channels in a novel Cav1.3A749G mouse line with DHP-insensitive L-type Cav1.2 channels. Moreover, the PhD student will characterize novel CACNA1D variants in transiently transfected tsA201 cells using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings.
The project is funded via the FWF research group “Multi-system study of pathogenic CACNA1D variants” (https://www.fwf.ac.at/forschungsradar/10.55776/FG35). The student will be integrated in the CaVX PhD program and will benefit of this collaborative PhD excellence program, internal scientific exchanges, annual retreats, and a supportive and motivated scientific environment within the Innsbruck calcium channel cluster.

  • Candidates must hold a master degree or finish it soon. Previous experience in electrophysiology, neuroanatomical studies, animal behavioral experiments or pharmacology would be an advantage.
  • Salary is according to FWF (Austrian Science Fund) rates.
  • Candidates must submit the application form including a short letter of motivation, a CV and, if available, a reference letter to cavx.office@gmail.com

Project/group leader:
Nadine J. Ortner, PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Institute of Pharmacy
University of Innsbruck
https://cavx.at/group-ortner/
https://www.uibk.ac.at/pharmazie/pharmakologie/nadine-ortner.html

PhD position in endocrine cell electrophysiology and computer modelling (M/W/D)

A PhD position is available in the group of Petronel Tuluc at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (Institute of Pharmacy) at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The position will be available starting from 12th of May 2025.

Endocrine cells electrical activity is tightly orchestrated by the activation of a multitude of voltage gated ion channels. The endocrine cells of the Zona Glomerulosa (ZG) of adrenal glands secrete aldosterone, a hormone critical in blood pressure regulation. Aldosterone synthesis requires an increase in ZG cell electrical activity. However, the exact mechanism of ZG cell excitability is still unknown. Previously we have shown that de novo somatic mutations in Cav1.3 L-type calcium channel increase aldosterone secretion causing essential hypertension. Similarly, recently it has been shown that germline Cav1.3 mutations also cause increased aldosterone secretion. However, how Cav1.3 channel contributes to ZG cell excitability and how alterations in Cav1.3 biophysical properties alter this process have never been investigated. In this project we will identify the molecular mechanism of excitability in ZG cells, the role of Cav1.3 in this process, and how novel Cav1.3 patient-derived variants alter ZG cell excitability. With the data obtained from this project as well as the data obtained from our close local (Ortner group) and international collaborators we will build a detailed computer model of ZG cell excitability. This computer model will allow us to identify the role of many already characterized Cav1.3 variants on ZG cell excitability.

Therefore, the successful PhD candidate will perform both experiment work characterizing the ZG cell biophysical properties as well as computational work bringing all the experimental evidence in one functional ZG cell computer model. The project is funded via the FWF research group “Multi-system study of pathogenic CACNA1D variants” (https://www.fwf.ac.at/forschungsradar/10.55776/FG35). The student will be integrated in the CaVX PhD program and will benefit of this collaborative PhD excellence program, internal scientific exchanges, annual retreats, and a supportive and motivated scientific environment within the Innsbruck calcium channel cluster.

  • Candidates must hold a master degree or finish it soon. Previous experience in electrophysiology, Ca2+ imaging or pharmacology would be an advantage.
  • Salary is according to FWF (Austrian Science Fund) rates.
  • Candidates must submit the application form including a short letter of motivation, a CV and, if available, a reference letter to cavx.office@gmail.com

Project/group leader:
Assoc. Prof. Petronel Tuluc, PhD
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy
University of Innsbruck
Innrain 80-82/III, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Phone: +4351250758805
E-mail: petronel.tuluc@uibk.ac.at
Homepage: https://www.uibk.ac.at/pharmazie/pharmakologie/tuluc-gruppe/tuluc-gruppe.html
Graduate Program: https://cavx.at
Research network: https://www.uibk.ac.at/cmbi/

PhD position in calcium imaging and electrophysiology in skeletal muscle (M/W/D)

A PhD position is available in the group led by Marta Campiglio at the Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. The position will be available immediately (beginning is negotiable).

The student will develop a project aimed to dissect the molecular mechanisms leading to malignant hyperthermia, a pharmacogenetic disorder, in patients affected by the rare congenital myopathy STAC3 disorder (https://omim.org/entry/255995). The student will employee calcium imaging and electrophysiological techniques in cells derived from genetically modified mice and cell lines. The project is part of FWF grant awarded to Marta Campiglio (Medical University of Innsbruck) and Jocelyn LaPorte/Johann Bohm (IGBMC, Illkirch, France). The student will be integrated in the CaVX PhD program and will benefit of internal scientific exchanges and collaborative program in a scientific environment of excellence.

  • Candidates must hold a master degree. Previous experience in electrophysiology, calcium imaging and basic molecular biology would be an advantage.
  • Salary is according to FWF rates.
  • Candidates must submit the application form including a short letter of motivation, your CV and, if available, a reference letter to marta.campiglio@i-med.ac.at.

Medical University of Innsbruck,
Institute of Physiology 

https://cavx.at/campiglio-group/

PhD position in skeletal and cardiac electrophysiology (M/W/D)

A PhD position is available in the group led by Marta Campiglio at the Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. The position will be available immediately (beginning is negotiable).

The student will develop a project on the functional roles of STAC proteins in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling and in cardiac automaticity, using genetically modified skeletal muscle cells and mouse-derived cardiomyocytes. The project is part of FWF grant awarded to Marta Campiglio (Medical University of Innsbruck) and Jocelyn LaPorte/Johann Bohm (IGBMC, Illkirch, France) and in close collaboration with Matteo Mangoni (IGF, Montpellier, France). The student will be integrated in the CaVX community and will benefit of internal scientific exchanges and collaborative program in a scientific environment of excellence.

  • Candidates must hold a master degree. Previous experience in electrophysiology, calcium imaging and basic molecular biology would be an advantage.
  • Salary is according to FWF rates.
  • Candidates must submit the application form including a short letter of motivation, your CV and, if available, a reference letter to marta.campiglio@i-med.ac.at.

Medical University of Innsbruck,
Institute of Physiology
https://cavx.at/campiglio-group/

PhD position in stem cell and brain functional biology (M/W/D)

A PhD position in available shared in the groups of Frank Edenhofer (edenhofer-lab.com) and Christopher Esk (cesklab.com) at the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The position will be available starting from May 15th 2025 at the earliest.

The PhD project will investigate the role of human disease-associated mutations in a Ca-channel (CACNA1D) leading to various neurological diseases in patients. CACNA1D variant function will be studied in a comparative series of human stem cell lines differentiated to various neurons and complex 3D brain organoids to understand developmental, functional and regulatory functions of CACNA1D. Methodologically, the project will involve a broad mix of human stem cell culture, prime-editor based genome engineering, microscopy, genome-wide genomic, single cell transcriptomic analyses and functional / activity analyses.

The project is fully funded via the FWF research group “Multi-system study of pathogenic CACNA1D variants” (https://www.fwf.ac.at/forschungsradar/10.55776/FG35). The candidate will be integrated in University of Innsbruck’s international PhD program AGE/REG program (https://www.uibk.ac.at/projects/dp-age-reg/index.html.en), benefitting from a collaborative PhD excellence program, scientific exchanges, annual retreats, and a supportive and motivated scientific environment within the Innsbruck life science community.

  • Candidates should hold a master degree or finish it soon.
  • Previous experience in human (stem) cell culture, genome engineering, organoid research and / or bioinformatics would be an advantageous
  • We cultivate a friendly, open and supportive lab environment and hope a potential candidate will align with these values.
  • Candidates should submit the application form including a short letter of motivation, a CV and, if available, a reference letter to cavx.office@gmail.com
  • For questions and additional information please contact Frank Edenhofer or Christopher Esk.

Contact:

Frank Edenhofer / Christopher Esk
Institute of Molecular Biology
University of Innsbruck

Edenhofer lab: https://www.edenhofer-lab.com
Esk lab: https://www.cesklab.com
Institute website: https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/molbiol/

AGE/REG PhD program: https://www.uibk.ac.at/projects/dp-age-reg/index.html.en