PhD candidate / Research scientist (all genders) - international DFG-funded Research Training Group (IRTG) 3215 “Microdomains in Cardiac Disease”

Job-ID: J000006522

Contract Type: Temporary

Employment Type: Part time

Closing Date: 06.07.2026

Organization: UKE_Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin

Category: Research & Science

Department: Institut für Experimentelle Herz-Kreislaufforschung

Main tasks

The International Research Training Group (IRTG) 3215 “Microdomains in Cardiac Disease” is a German–French doctoral programme funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). It brings together basic and clinical scientists from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and Université Paris-Saclay. The aim of the IRTG is to provide structured, research-oriented doctoral training in cardiovascular basic and translational research, with a particular focus on subcellular microdomains in cardiac disease.

The Research Training Group will start on October 1, 2026, and is planned for a duration of 3.5 years. For the first funding period, twelve PhD candidate positions will be offered. Doctoral training will take place within a structured programme that includes joint German–French supervision, complementary scientific and transferable skills training, as well as mandatory research stays at the respective partner institution. Applicants may apply for up to three of the twelve research projects. Each doctoral candidate will conduct their PhD within one of the projects listed below, which are described in detail on our website.

RP1: Specific targeting of β1-adrenoceptor/cAMP microdomains to treat HFpEF

RP2: Regulation of catecholamine-induced inotropy and arrhythmias by distinct PDE3- and PDE4-ontrolled cAMP microdomains in atrial fibrillation

RP3: EPAC microdomain regulation of Ca2+ handling via cAMP and CaMKII in atrial fibrillation

RP4: Role of AKAP18γ in the regulation of phospholamban function

RP5: RSK as a signalling scaffold to orchestrate adaptation of cardiac muscle function and metabolism

RP6: Regulation of the proteasome by cyclic nucleotides in cardiac proteinopathy

RP7: Homoarginine-modulated spatially distinct cGMP pools as novel targets for heart failure

RP8: Adhesive junctional microdomains and the interplay with gap junctions and cAMP/PKA signalling in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

RP9: Role of the dual leucine zipper kinase in diabetes-induced cardiomyocyte mitochondrial dysfunction

RP10: Endothelial regulation of cardiomyocyte microdomains

RP11: Role of the mineralocorticoid receptor in Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy

RP12: Interaction of the intercalated disc, sodium current function and calcium homeostasis in early arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Your tasks:

Independent planning, execution, and analysis of complex experimental studies in the field of cardiovascular basic and translational research

Application of state-of-the-art methods in biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, as well as imaging and functional techniques

Contribution to the development of new experimental approaches and to the planning of scientific collaborations within the IRTG and with national and international partners

Systematic analysis, interpretation, and documentation of scientific data

Presentation of research results at internal events as well as at national and international scientific conferences

Contribution to the preparation of scientific publications

Active participation in all mandatory teaching and training activities of the IRTG, including seminars, workshops, retreats, and methodological courses

The position is funded at 65% of a full-time E13 salary according to the German public service pay scale.