A PhD position focusing on structural and functional characterization of ciliary protein complexes derived from human cells is available in the research group of Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense. The position is available from 1^st of July 2025 or soon thereafter. Application deadline: 15^th of June 2025 at 23:59 hours, local Danish time.

Research Project
You will conduct a research project with the aim to understand the molecular mechanism that allows the transition zone (TZ), a conserved protein complex with unknown molecular structure, to maintain a specific lipid and protein composition in cilia.

Cilia are evolutionary conserved organelles that protrude from the surface of eukaryotic cells to facilitate motility and sensory perception. Cilia dysfunctions result in rare human diseases known as ciliopathies that affects multiple organs leading to clinical manifestations such as blindness, deafness, obesity, mental retardation, renal and breathing difficulties. To date there are 35 reported ciliopathies caused by mutations in more than 200 genes. Most of these genes encode proteins that assemble the TZ, an evolutionary conserved multi-molecular superstructure that lies at the base of cilia and allows selective diffusion and transport of proteins and lipids between cytosol and cilia by an unknown gating mechanism.

By employing an integrative approach involving protein structure prediction by AlphaFold 3 combined with crosslinking/mass-spectrometry and single particle cryogenic electron microscopy on native or recombinant TZ complexes, you are expected to determine the molecular structure and function of a TZ sub-complex consisting of 3-5 proteins. You will monitor the gating mechanism of TZ in cellular models such as RPE1 or cultured dopaminergic neurons by immunofluorescence microscopy. You will also establish the recombinant production and purification of the TZ sub-complex for biochemical, structural and functional characterization. 

The project is supported by a starting grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation awarded to Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman.

Lab and Research Environment
You will be part of the research group led by Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman (Petriman group) within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) at SDU. The Petriman group is associated with the ‘Biomedical Mass Spectrometry and Systems Biology research unit’ at BMB and the ‘Danish National Mass Spectrometry Platform for Proteomics and Biomolecular Imaging’ (PLATO), which provides a highly international, collaborative, ambitious and innovative research environment in mass spectrometry-based proteomics. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities (e.g., proteomics and bioimaging) and extensive expertise in functional proteomics. Through SDU, you will also have access to the EMBION cryo-EM facility located at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. This international, well-equipped, highly ambitious and supportive research environment therefore provides a great setting for pursuing novel research ideas and developing your independent career.

Your Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, determined, curious, and collaborative PhD student to conduct the research project outlined above. You have:

• A Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Familiarity with or strong interest in recombinant expression and purification of proteins, crosslinking/mass spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, CRISPR-mediated gene editing, protein structure prediction, structural modelling, transmission electron microscopy imaging, single particle cryogenic electron microscopy or X-ray crystallography. 
• Solid understanding of proteins and their role in cells.
• Desire and motivation to succeed in performing experiments in the laboratory.
• Ambition to disseminate the results of your research by participation to conferences and publishing in research journals.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills and willingness to work independently as well as to collaborate with your colleagues and peers.
• Commitment to complete the PhD coursework (30 ECTS points) and contribute to teaching activities.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

We Offer

• A PhD position in a stimulating, vibrant and supportive research environment with a focus on mentoring and individual career development.
• Training in state-of-the-art technologies and data analysis as well as research management, oral and written communication.
• Participation to international conferences to facilitate successful integration into the cilia research field and networking.
• Access to an international collaborative environment that can be used for a mandatory up to 6 months research mobility.
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and infrastructure within functional proteomics, including a unique collection of advanced instrumentation for mass spectrometry (e.g. Orbitrap Astral, Eclipse, and Exploris from Thermo Fisher Scientific, and timsTOF Ultra 2 and timsTOF HT from Bruker) and for bioimaging (e.g. Abberior facility line STED and MINFLUX, Nikon 3D STORM, and Nikon dual cam SIM). Access to the state-of the art EMBION cryo-EM facility consisting of two high-end Titan Krios 300 keV transmission microscopes equipped with Bioquantum/K3 detectors, and workhorse Tecnai Spirit 120 keV transmission electron microscope.
• A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc).
• Support with practical, social and legal aspects (e.g. housing, visa, tax etc) through our international staff office (ISO) and the department.

Application deadline: 15 June 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk