Open Positions

Visit regularly this page to check out our open positions.
If there is no open position available in the group you would like to work in, do not hesitate to send unsolicited application directly to the group leader. 

Research groups

Labs

  • Dengjel and De Virgilio Labs: PhD Students in Autophagy and Metabolic Signaling

    The Dengjel and De Virgilio Labs at the Dept. of Biology, University of Fribourg are interested in cellular signal transduction and protein homeostasis. We characterize molecular pathways critical for cell homeostasis, autophagy regulation and autophagosome biogenesis and employ mammalian and/or yeast cell culture models, protein biochemistry, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (1-4). Current projects are supported by third-party grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and private foundations.

     

    We look for highly motivated PhD students with interests in the areas outlined above. Excellent communication skills in English are of benefit.

     

    We offer:

     

    Fribourg and its University are located in the heart of Switzerland, 30 min from Bern and 50 min from Lausanne. Research and life conditions are excellent. Major facilities are either on campus or available through national networks. The Dengjel Lab is actively engaged in SKINTEGRITY.CH and Life Science Switzerland (LS2).

     

    The starting date for this position is July 1st, 2024 (or later). Interested candidates should send a SINGLE PDF application including a CV, a brief statement of their research interests, a copy of their MSc diploma, and names of three referees by email to:

    stephanie.kaeser-pebernard@unifr.ch

     

    References

    (1) Zhou, J., et al. (2023). TBK1 phosphorylation activates LIR-dependent degradation of the inflammation repressor TNIP1. J Cell Biol 222.

    (2) Kaeser-Pebernard, S., et al. (2022). mTORC1 controls Golgi architecture and vesicle secretion by phosphorylation of SCYL1. Nat Commun 13, 4685.

    (3) Dokládal L., et al. (2021). Global phosphoproteomics pinpoints uncharted Gcn2-mediated mechanisms of translational control. Mol Cell 81:1879-1889.e6

    (4) Hu Z, et al. (2019). Multilayered Control of Protein Turnover by TORC1 and Atg1. Cell Rep. 28:3486- 3496.e6

  • Auer Lab: Postdoc & PhD positions in Comparative Neuroscience
    • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Thomas Auer
    • Funding: SNF Starting Grant
    • Deadline: 8th March 2024
    • Expected Start Date: from June 2024

     

    Research environment

    Our lab and the Department of Biology offer a friendly and stimulating work environment, with excellent conditions in terms of infrastructure, know-how, and collaboration. Fribourg is a vibrant medieval university town with a large student population, situated close to the capital of Bern and the beautiful Swiss pre-Alps and Alps. For more information on our research see Auer group.

     

    Training and development

    Our PhD students will be part of the Fribourg Life Science Graduate School which provides training and development opportunities, and advice on funding for research.

    Our students and PostDocs also have access to training and career advice from the University of Fribourg and can participate to online and on-site courses from the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics.

    Through the development of your project, you will be trained in state-of-the-art comparative genetic approaches, molecular biology techniques, neurophysiology, and behavioural studies. You will also be able to develop your own project ideas depending on your interests.

    Our lab strives to foster effective communication and presentation skills and you will be encouraged to develop international collaborations and networking, including attendance to national and/or international meetings.

     

    Project description

    The focus for this position will be on chemosensory system evolution and taste processing. We use three closely related Drosophila species (D. melanogasterD. simulansD. sechellia) with diverse feeding habits to decipher what genetic and neural circuit changes drive species differences. To this purpose, we compare homologous circuits across species and study their physiology, transcriptomes and role in behaviour. Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of the research, there is a range of opportunities for contributing to the project depending on particular interests and strengths (i.e. comparative transcriptomics, neurobiology, generation of transgenic tools for new species, in vivo volumetric imaging, bioinformatics). Throughout the project you will be encouraged to develop your own ideas and hypotheses.

     

    Funding

    The project is funded by Swiss National Science Foundation Starting Grant. Initial appointment is for 1 year with the possibility to prolongations up to 4 years.

     

    Eligibility and applying

    Applications are invited from outstanding candidates with or expecting to receive a master/PhD degree in an area relevant to the project (e.g., evolutionary biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, neurobiology, bioinformatics). The most important qualification is motivation and enthusiasm for the project.

    Informal enquiries about the project can be sent to Thomas Auer (thomas.auer@unifr.ch).

    Formal applications must be submitted through our online form by 08th March 2024 for consideration, including a CV, cover letter and qualifications. 

    Our lab is committed to promoting diversity in science and we positively welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

  • Jazwinska Lab: PhD and Postdoc positions in Regenerative Biology in Zebrafish

    The zebrafish research group of Prof. Anna Jazwinska at the Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland is looking for a motivated PhD student and a Postdoc with an interest in Regenerative Biology in Zebrafish.

    The positions are available on the projects:  “Heart and muscle regeneration in zebrafish”

    The zebrafish provides a unique vertebrate model system for regeneration studies due to its genetic amenability and simple maintenance. We do not understand why the regeneration response varies among adult vertebrates. Our goal is to uncover how the adult zebrafish and other fish species can naturally recreate a near-perfect replica of the lost complex tissue.

    Our specific aim is to identify the intrinsic genetic programs and external signals that support the regenerative plasticity of the regeneration-competent cells. This undertaking will demand the generation of transgenic fish lines, CRISPR/Cas9 system technology, pharmacological approaches, transcriptome analysis, and imaging techniques. A conceptual and molecular understanding of natural regeneration in lower vertebrates will help to build a foundation for regenerative medicine.

    We offer an exciting working environment where quality, professionalism and human contacts are paramount. The candidate will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team and provide a meaningful contribution to the identification of biological mechanisms underlying organ regeneration in teleost fish.

    Profile
    We are seeking highly motivated candidates, preferentially with experience with animal model organisms. Candidates must have good knowledge of the English language, and either French or German communication skills.

    Starting date by arrangement. Salary according to institutional guidelines. Please send a CV, a brief description of previous research experience and the names of three references.

    Contact
    Prof. Anna Jazwinska
    anna.jazwinska@unifr.ch
    http://www3.unifr.ch/bio/en/research/groups-in-alphabetical-order/jazwinska-group.html

    PDF                    

  • Schneiter Lab: PhD and Postdoctoral Opportunities to study the biogenesis of lipid droplets

    Postdoc and PhD positions available to study the biogenesis of lipid droplets using Baker's yeast as a genetic model organism. Techniques employed include live cell confocal microscopy, subcellular fractionation, and mass spectrometry.

    For a recent publication on the topic see:

    https://rupress.org/jcb/article/219/7/e201910177/151718/Seipin-and-Nem1-establish-discrete-ER-subdomains
    https://journals.biologists.com/jcs/article-abstract/135/5/jcs256206/268334/The-surface-of-lipid-droplets-constitutes-a?redirectedFrom=fulltext
    https://journals.biologists.com/jcs/article-abstract/135/5/jcs258819/271208/Lipid-droplets-form-a-network-interconnected-by?redirectedFrom=fulltext

    We are looking for highly motivated candidates with an excellent background in cell biology. Additional experience in yeast genetics or lipid biochemistry would be an asset. The position is available immediately for the duration of at least 4-5 years.

    For further information please contact the group leader: Roger Schneiter (roger.schneiter@unifr.ch).

    Several PhD and one postdoc positions are available in our newly-established Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.

    Your mission

    Our group develops and applies computer simulations to investigate how the molecular properties of proteins, lipids and membranes modulate cellular processes. We combine these in silico investigations with biochemical and biophysical approaches to understand key biological mechanisms with atomistic molecular resolution. Please check our group webpage for more information.

    Currently, we have openings in the following research areas:

    • Intracellular lipid and fat accumulation
    • Protein-membrane interactions
    • Force field development
    • Nanoparticles-membrane interactions

    Your profile

    We are looking for highly motivated, team-oriented independent thinkers. For the postdoc position, the applicant should have a PhD in physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, biophysics, engineering or a related subject. The applicant should have a background in molecular dynamics simulations or computational chemistry. Previous experience in combining simulations with NMR experiments OR in simulations of materials/nanoparticles are a plus. For the PhD positions, the applicant should have a Master Degree in physics, chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, computer science, engineering or a related subject. Computer literacy and previous experience with molecular simulations, as well as good communication skills and proficiency in English are a plus. In general, any previous specific knowledge is less important than strong motivation, enthusiasm for scientific research, problem-solving skills, and possibly a track-record of individual and team accomplishments.

    We offer

    The positions are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and by the NCCR in Bio-Inspired Materials . We offer a stimulating, friendly and interdisciplinary work environment, with excellent working conditions (salary, resources, …) and frontier research projects. The Department of Biology of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) gathers very dynamic researchers with a strong commitment toward innovation and excellence in science. It offers a stimulating and supportive environment, with an open-minded atmosphere ideal to foster synergies.

    The selected candidates will also have the opportunity to interact extensively with members of the Department of Chemistry and of the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg, with whom collaborations are ongoing. In addition, they will also benefit from strong international collaborations with outstanding experimental labs in the fields of membrane biology, soft matter and nanomaterials. The successful PhD candidates will enrol in the Fribourg Graduate School of Life Sciences (FGLS) providing high-quality education opportunities to complement the laboratory training. It will also benefit from the close proximity to the CECAM headquarters in Lausanne, where multiple workshops and schools in computational science are held every year (https://www.cecam.org ). PhD positions are fully funded for 3 years, with a possible 1-year extension. In addition, PhD students will have the possibility to apply to generous international postdoctoral fellowship from the SNF after completion of their PhD. Initial gross annual salary for PhD students will be 47,040 CHF (~ 47,000 $). The postdoc position is fully funded for 2 years, with a possible 2-years extension. In addition, the postdoc will have the possibility to apply to prestigious and generous fellowships from the SNF to start an independent career after completion of their postdoctoral fellowship. Initial gross annual salary for Postdocs will be 65,000 CHF (~ 65,000 $).

     

    Please send your application, including short cover letter (explaining background and motivation) and a complete CV via e-mail to Stefano Vanni

  • Vanni Lab: PhD and Postdoctoral Opportunities in Computational Biophysics and Biochemistry of Membranes

    Several PhD and one postdoc positions are available in our newly-established Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.

    Your mission

    Our group develops and applies computer simulations to investigate how the molecular properties of proteins, lipids and membranes modulate cellular processes. We combine these in silico investigations with biochemical and biophysical approaches to understand key biological mechanisms with atomistic molecular resolution. Please check our group webpage for more information.

    Currently, we have openings in the following research areas:

    • Intracellular lipid and fat accumulation
    • Protein-membrane interactions
    • Force field development
    • Nanoparticles-membrane interactions

    Your profile

    We are looking for highly motivated, team-oriented independent thinkers. For the postdoc position, the applicant should have a PhD in physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, biophysics, engineering or a related subject. The applicant should have a background in molecular dynamics simulations or computational chemistry. Previous experience in combining simulations with NMR experiments OR in simulations of materials/nanoparticles are a plus. For the PhD positions, the applicant should have a Master Degree in physics, chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, computer science, engineering or a related subject. Computer literacy and previous experience with molecular simulations, as well as good communication skills and proficiency in English are a plus. In general, any previous specific knowledge is less important than strong motivation, enthusiasm for scientific research, problem-solving skills, and possibly a track-record of individual and team accomplishments.

    We offer

    The positions are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and by the NCCR in Bio-Inspired Materials . We offer a stimulating, friendly and interdisciplinary work environment, with excellent working conditions (salary, resources, …) and frontier research projects. The Department of Biology of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) gathers very dynamic researchers with a strong commitment toward innovation and excellence in science. It offers a stimulating and supportive environment, with an open-minded atmosphere ideal to foster synergies.

    The selected candidates will also have the opportunity to interact extensively with members of the Department of Chemistry and of the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg, with whom collaborations are ongoing. In addition, they will also benefit from strong international collaborations with outstanding experimental labs in the fields of membrane biology, soft matter and nanomaterials. The successful PhD candidates will enrol in the Fribourg Graduate School of Life Sciences (FGLS) providing high-quality education opportunities to complement the laboratory training. It will also benefit from the close proximity to the CECAM headquarters in Lausanne, where multiple workshops and schools in computational science are held every year (https://www.cecam.org ). PhD positions are fully funded for 3 years, with a possible 1-year extension. In addition, PhD students will have the possibility to apply to generous international postdoctoral fellowship from the SNF after completion of their PhD. Initial gross annual salary for PhD students will be 47,040 CHF (~ 47,000 $). The postdoc position is fully funded for 2 years, with a possible 2-years extension. In addition, the postdoc will have the possibility to apply to prestigious and generous fellowships from the SNF to start an independent career after completion of their postdoctoral fellowship. Initial gross annual salary for Postdocs will be 65,000 CHF (~ 65,000 $).

     

    Please send your application, including short cover letter (explaining background and motivation) and a complete CV via e-mail to Stefano Vanni