PhD candidate position to study transcription- replication conflicts and genomic instability
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A PhD candidate position is available at the University of Bern, Switzerland, to join the research group of Michalis Petropoulos, in collaboration with Sven Rottenberg (Vetsuisse Faculty and Bern Center for Precision Medicine).

Project Overview:
PARP inhibitors are being used to treat human cancers with homologous recombination deficiencies. We recently published on the role of PARP1 in preventing DNA damage in response to transcription- replication conflicts (Petropoulos et al., Nature, 2024).

Aufgaben
We are recruiting a PhD candidate to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which PARPs detect transcription- replication conflicts and act to prevent induction of DNA damage in normal and cancer cells. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Michalis Petropoulos, a newly recruited Group Leader at the University of Bern, and Prof. Sven Rottenberg, Director of the Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern.
Anforderungen
Applicants should be in the final stages of their Master’s degree (with expected completion within the next few months) or have completed their degree within the past six months. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in molecular and cell biology, and a strong interest in cancer biology and genome stability. Experience with techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, high-content imaging, next-generation sequencing, or organoid models is an advantage but not required.
Wir bieten
Position Details:
Start date: To be discussed, earliest November 1, 2025

Position Details:
Salary according to Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) guidelines:
Annual gross salary: CHF 50’000 - 55’000
Duration:
3 - 4 years
Bewerbung und Kontakt

How to apply:
Please send your application in ONE PdF File to christine.herzig@ unibe.ch including:

• Your CV
• A motivation letter
• Names and contact details (or letters) of two academic references