• Designing, performing and analyzing proteomics experiments
• Building hypothesis-based theories and testing them using a range of different cell biology and biochemical techniques
• Handling and manipulating yeast whole-genome collections or patient-derived samples
• Preparation of figures and data for presentation at meetings and conferences, and writing reports, manuscripts and a PhD thesis dissertation

• A Master’s Degree in Cell Biology/Molecular Biology/Biochemistry or similar
• An interest in organelle biology and/or membrane protein complexes, protein homologs and using proteomics-based methods
• Experience in experimental biology methods. Molecular biology methods (cloning, PCR) and western blotting are relevant for both positions. One position will use baker's yeast as a model organism, and the other, human cells in tissue culture. Experience with either model will hence be considered an advantage. Applicants with data analysis skills will also be favoured.
• Curiosity about the unknown
• Wanting to work as part of a team and as a collaborator
• Proficiency in English

• Strong mentorship to promote development into independent scientists
• An excellent and international biology research environment
• A supportive, collaborative and friendly atmosphere
• Participation in further training programs
• PhD salary, available for 3 years, starting from April/May 2025, with the possibility to extend  

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and oldest universities in Germany. Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world.
The Fenech lab is a recently established DFG-funded Emmy-Noether research group at the Center for Biochemistry Cologne, located on one of Europe‘s top research campuses with state-of-the-art facilities. We aim to understand why, in the eukaryotic secretory pathway, so many similar proteins function alongside each other. These similar machineries – called homologs – can ‘back each other up’ with shared functions. However, all of them also have important unique functions and features, and for most, we still don’t know what underlying molecular mechanisms define this specificity. To uncover these, we use a combination of high-throughput protein interactor profiling, cell biology and biochemical tools in baker’s yeast and mammalian cells to find unique regulators and/or clients of homologous machineries.
We are looking for two enthusiastic doctoral researchers that share our fascination of how the largest organelle in the cell – the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) – works.
Does this sound interesting to you and you want to join our dynamic team?
Please submit your application containing a self-written cover/motivation letter (of no more than 1 page), a short CV (containing any publications and the contact details of two referees) and relevant copies of degree certificates.