Job Offer from April 08, 2022
A Postdoctoral Position (m/f/d) investigating epigenetic regulation of cell decisions in mammals is available in the lab of Dr. Asifa Akhtar (Department of Chromatin Regulation) at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg. The Akhtar lab uses a combination of Drosophila and mouse models to investigate regulation by histone acetylation and non-coding RNA. This position is open immediately and initially funded for two years, with the possibility of extension.
The Akhtar lab uses a combination of mouse and human models to investigate the mechanistic and physiological functions of the H4K16-specific histone acetyltransferase MOF/KAT8 and its associated protein complexes in mammals. The lab has a long-standing interest in understanding the cell- and tissue-specific functions of MOF at both molecular and physiological levels, including dissecting how MOF influences cell fate and development decisions. The recruited postdoc will contribute towards this line of research by studying MOF in one or more tissues of interest.
The team has uncovered essential roles for MOF in cardiomyocyte function and mitochondrial OXPHOS metabolism. Hearts of mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Mof exhibit cardiomyopathy, fibrosis and eventually succumb to cardiac failure (Chatterjee et al., 2016 Cell). We also revealed that MOF regulates fatty acid metabolic networks which mediate a unique form of intercellular metabolic communication between neurons and pericyte in the developing embryonic brain (Sheikh et al., 2020 Nature Cell Biology).
The hematopoietic system is an ideal model for dissecting how multipotent cells balance self-renewal with cell fate decision and commitment. By performing single-cell RNA-sequencing we found that precise temporal expression of Mof is critical for erythropoietic cell fate (Pessoa Rodrigues et al., 2020 Science Advances). We also made the enigmatic discovery that the level of H4K16ac influences hematopoietic stem cell heterogeneiety, including these cells’ proliferation capacities (Pessoa Rodrigues and Akhtar, 2021 Science Advances).
Furthermore, the lab has recently reported the discovery of a new developmental syndrome originating from de novo mutations in MSL3, a gene encoding a member of the MOF-associated MSL complex (Basilicata et al 2018, Nature Genetics). In addition, the group is interested in understanding the epigenetic underpinnings of Koolen-de Vries syndrome, which is caused by heterozygous deletion or mutation in the gene encoding the NSL complex member KANSL1 (Gaub et al., 2020 Nat Comms).
We are looking for independent and motivated post-doctoral scientists interested in exploring cell type- and tissue-specific roles of MOF in the context of NSL and MSL complexes. For this we seek applicants with a strong background in experimental work in mice and/or human induced pluripotent stem cells. The recruited scientist will apply a combination of methodologies, including bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, live-cell imaging, proteomics, metabolomics or other techniques, as appropriate.
Located in a region that connects Germany, France and Switzerland, our institute offers an international research environment with outstanding infrastructure facilities and a positive working atmosphere that places a high value on work-life balance.
We value and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, so we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from severely disabled people. We would also like to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.
Have we sparked your interest? Please apply with your complete application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae) including a statement of research interests via our online applicant portal by May 6th, 2022. At the same time, please ask three of your referees to send recommendation letters to akhtarassistant@ie-freiburg.mpg.de.
Max Planck Institute for
Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Stübeweg 51
79108 Freiburg
Germany