1 Ph.D. Candidate and 1 Postdoctoral Position (m/f/d) in Neuroscience/Glycobiology
Your workplace
Institute of Anatomy - Chair for Microscopic Anatomy and Molecular Imaging

Research Group: Pravata Lab (DFG Emmy Noether Programme)

Project Title: Uncovering the Role of Glycosylation in Brain Development and Disease

Our newly established DFG Emmy Noether research group is recruiting highly motivated researchers to join the Pravata Lab. Our multidisciplinary projects bridge evolutionary biology, stem cell modeling, and neurodevelopmental biology to uncover how post-translational modifications (PTMs) - specifically glycosylation - shape the human brain.We focus on Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDGs), rare conditions caused by mutations in glycoenzymes that lead to severe neurodevelopmental delay. By studying enzymes that sit at the intersection of evolutionary divergence and pathology, we use neural organoids, non-human primate models, and targeted genetic engineering to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these disorders.

Our benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme
• Excellent support during the academic qualification phase
• Structured doctoral degree programs
• Systematic career development in collaboration with the Graduate Center
• Thorough onboarding process with a dedicated team
• Joint team activities
• Subsidized food and drinks in our student restaurants
• Place of work within comfortable walking distance of public transport
• Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
• Flexible working hours
• A wide range of training courses and opportunities for professional development
• Active health management

Your Tasks
Position 1: Ph.D. Candidate (m/f/d)

Tasks and Responsibilities:

This project investigates how glycosylation shapes human brain development and contributes to disease. You will genetically modify iPSCs using Prime Editing and model CDG in neural organoids. You will use advanced imaging and OMICs (Proteomics, scRNA seq) to uncover the molecular mechanisms of glycosylation behind severe neurodevelopmental disorders.

Position 2: Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

Tasks and Responsibilities:

This project maps the evolutionary differences in brain glycosylation by comparing neural organoids from humans, chimpanzees, and macaques. You will isolate specific developing brain cells and use advanced mass spectrometry to identify the critical protein modifications driving species-specific neurodevelopment. You will then integrate these findings with advanced imaging and the targeted manipulation of key enzymes to fully understand their impact.

Your Profile
Position 1: Ph.D. Candidate (m/f/d)

Essential Requirements:

• A BSc/MSc in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience in the lab and standard molecular biology techniques.
• A strong analytical mindset and a genuine passion for developmental biology.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Prior experience with iPSCs, 3D organoid cultures, or CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
• Familiarity with high-resolution microscopy or flow cytometry.
• Basic bioinformatics skills for scRNA-seq analysis.

Position 2: Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

Essential Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Extensive hands-on experience in either advanced mammalian cell culture or proteomics.
• A strong analytical mindset with the ability to independently design experiments and drive a research project forward.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with human/primate iPSCs, 3D neural organoid cultures, or developmental neurobiology.
• Familiarity with FACS/flow cytometry.
• Bioinformatics skills for processing and analyzing large-scale proteomic data.

Supplementary description
Hier gibts ergänzende Bemerkungen

Application deadline

2026-08-31

Title

1 Ph.D. Candidate and 1 Postdoctoral Position (m/f/d) in Neuroscience/Glycobiology

Job start date

2027-01-01

Payment

E13
Gehaltsrange (brutto pro Jahr)

Working time

full or part time

Weekly working hours

26 - 40,10

Working Time in Case of Part-Time

as agreed upon

### Temporary Contract yes

Reason for temporary contract

Limited research project

Further general conditions

Work location

Krankenhausstr. 9
91054 Erlangen

Contact

Dr. Maria Veronica Pravata
Tel.: 091318522866
Mobil:
pravatalab@gmail.com

Please apply via our online platform instead of sending applications by post or e-mail. Applications sent to us by post will not be returned.

With regard to the personal data collected during the application process, please refer to our information pursuant to Art. 13 and 14 of the General Data Protection Regulations at .

FAU is a modern, cosmopolitan and family-friendly employer. We welcome your application irrespective of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, ideological beliefs, disability or sexual identity. Applicants with a disability or who are considered to be equivalent to people with a disability will be given preference provided their aptitude, performance and capability are essentially the same. We are happy to offer part-time positions, provided a job-sharing arrangement means that the tasks in the area are fully covered.

If you wish, you may invite a person responsible for ensuring equal rights to accompany you to the job interview without incurring any disadvantages.