Dorothee Dormann
Just Landed
New Today
PhD Position: Molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases Institute of Molecular Biology, International PhD Programme Mainz in Germany
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
Available
Deadline
Oct 15, 2026
Country
Germany
University
International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz, Institute of Molecular Biology
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
More information can be found here
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany, is offering a fully funded PhD position in the research group of Dorothee Dormann. The project sits within the RTG R-loop Regulation in Robustness and Resilience (4R) and focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, especially the roles of the RNA/DNA-binding proteins FUS and TDP-43.
R-loops are natural nucleic acid structures formed during transcription, but their persistence can trigger DNA damage, genome instability, and disease processes. In this project, you will investigate how FUS and TDP-43 contribute to R-loop suppression and DNA repair, and how their functions are affected by DNA damage, phase separation/condensation, binding to DNA/RNA, and post-translational modifications such as ADP-ribosylation and phosphorylation. The research is closely linked to ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), where these proteins are known to mislocalize and aggregate in disease-affected brain regions.
The project uses a broad interdisciplinary toolkit, including proximity proteomics, molecular and cell biology, advanced fluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, protein biochemistry with recombinant proteins, and genome-wide R-loop mapping approaches. It offers an excellent training environment for students interested in mechanistic neurodegeneration research, genome stability, and RNA biology.
As an IPP PhD student, you will join an international community of more than 200 PhD students from 44 countries, with English as the working language. The programme highlights advanced scientific and professional training and access to state-of-the-art core facilities. The position is fully funded until the completion of the thesis.
Eligibility requirements include a Master’s degree or equivalent, good English skills, and two letters of reference. Applications must be submitted online via the IPP Mainz application portal, and applicants interested in this specific project should select Dormann as the group preference. The application deadline is 15 October 2026, interviews are scheduled for 18–19 January 2027 at IMB in Mainz, and the expected start date is between 1 February and 31 July 2027.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Master or equivalent in a relevant field, good command of English, and two letters of reference. The post seeks an ambitious scientist with an interactive personality; prior experience in molecular biology, cell biology, protein biochemistry, microscopy, proteomics, or genome-wide mapping methods may be advantageous but is not explicitly required.
How to apply
Apply via the online form on the IPP Mainz application website. Select Dormann as the group preference in the application platform. Submit the application before 15 October 2026 and provide two reference letters.
Ask ApplyKite AI
Professors
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.