(Macro)autophagy is a conserved catabolic pathway that mediates lysosomal turnover of defective or excess intracellular structures, including protein complexes and organelles. The structures targeted to destruction are sequestered into double-membrane autophagosomes and delivered into lysosomes. In addition to eliminate cytoplasmic components in a random manner, autophagy can be highly selective by recognizing specific cargo via the so-called autophagy receptors. Types of selective autophagy are key in fine regulating a multitude of physiological functions, including cell differentiation and metabolism. Within this interdisciplinary collaborative project, we aim at providing a comprehensive mechanistic view about how selective autophagy is regulating metabolism during the adaptation to specific nutritional changes. This study will be initially performed in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, before we will transfer key principles to cancer cells.

You are expected to conduct a research project, involving a combination of yeast genetics, cell biology, biochemistry (including proteomics and metabolomics), molecular biology, and live-cell imaging, embedded within the research group of Prof. Fulvio Reggiori.

The position is supported by the Sinergia program of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and it is for four years, with a one-year trial period.

- The applicants can be of any nationality.
- The candidate should have an MSc in biomolecular sciences (or equivalent).
- The candidate has solid experience with cell biological, molecular and/or biochemical techniques. Previous work with yeast and fluorescence microscopy is a plus, but not absolutely necessary.
- Applicants should be team-oriented, highly motivated, self-driven, and proficient in written and spoken English.

- An exciting research project.
- Mentoring, supervision, and training.
- Access to state-of-the art infrastructure.
- A stimulating international research environment.
- A competitive salary.

Conditions of employment
It concerns a fulltime appointment (36 hours a week) for a period of four years to be concluded with a PhD examination. After one year, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to expect a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the coming three years.
Your salary will be a minimum of € 2.495,- gross per month in the first year and a maximum of € 3.196,- (scale PhD) in the final (4th) year, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). English: http://www.nfu.nl/english/about-the-nfu/

More information
The Reggiori lab
Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems
UMCG
The city of Groningen

For additional information, you may contact Prof. Fulvio Reggiori, e-mail address: f.m.reggiori@umcg.nl.

Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems (BSCS)

The Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems (BSCS) of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), aims at understanding basic functions and processes of the cell and systems, and how they lead to diseases if disturbed. We strive for identification and, if possible, exploitation of targets to prevent or cure diseases, and to promote healthy aging. The BSCS teams are working with different model systems, using cutting-edge technologies, and share their knowledge and expertise to accelerate discoveries in central research areas of life and medical sciences. The BSCS and the UMCG are located in Groningen, a vibrant student town in the northern Netherlands. PhD students are enrolled in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen.