Oroboros Careers
Projectadministrator
Academic position
An academic position is open at the OROBOROS Mitochondrial Research Laboratory in collaboration with the Medical University and Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck (MitoFit).
In particular we invite candidates to join our group in the context of the project K-Regio MitoFit for establishing high-resolution respirometry on human blood cells. The potential collaborator will be enrolled in a PhD programme of the Medical University of Innsbruck.
Obtaining tissue biopsies for the study of mitochondrial function is an invasive approach that requires a clinician to obtain the samples under strictly sterile conditions and that usually goes along with the need to immediately use the samples for measurements. The possibility to measure mitochondrial function in human blood cells will help to overcome these limitations by allowing a far less invasive sampling procedure applicable by anyone proficient in blood drawing and by enabling the collection and storage of samples for later measurements and analysis. It will also allow the repeated sampling of the same individual, as the burden of sampling is dramatically reduced. Altogether, the advantages of using cryopreserved human blood cells for respirometry will immensely widen the applicability of respirometry for the study of human physiology and will provide a significant stimulus for the entire research field.
In the Mitochondrial Research Laboratory of Prof. Erich Gnaiger the latest techniques in O2k-Fluorometry and O2k-Spectrophotometry are available and a Power-O2k approach with up to 12 O2k-instruments (24 chambers) provides the basis of high-output in high-resolution respirometry. Data generated in our own laboratory and data from the literature should be organized to allow quantitative comparisons and documentation in a reference data base. Upon implementation of the MitoFit proficiency test, this quality control system will be offered to our O2k-Network Reference Laboratories in conjunction with extended technical support. This requires a solid understanding of mitochondrial respiratory physiology and international communication skills, providing a long-term perspective of collaboration. Therefore, the candidates should have experience in high-resolution respirometry and a strong publication record demonstrating her/his conceptual competence in the field of mitochondrial physiology and writing skills. The positions can be filled immediately. The candidates should submit her/his application with CV to: [email protected]
Postdoc positions
A postdoc position is open in the OROBOROS Mitochondrial Research Laboratory for scientific projects on mitochondrial respiratory control in collaboration with the Medical University and Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck (MitoFit).
In particular we invite candidates to join our group in the context of the project K-Regio MitoFit. In collaboration with the Section of Bioinformatics, a MitoFit-Knowledge Management Platform will be developed, providing the first standardized measures to link human mitochondrial health to physiome and genome data. A novel MitoFit proficiency test will use a reference sample of cryopreserved mitochondria, enabling a presently unattainable level of quality control in respiratory studies.
In the Mitochondrial Research Laboratory of Prof. Erich Gnaiger the latest techniques in O2k-Fluorometry and O2k-Spectrophotometry are available and a Power-O2k approach with up to 12 O2k-instruments (24 chambers) provides the basis of high-output in high-resolution respirometry. Data generated in our own laboratory and data from the literature should be organized to allow quantitative comparisons and documentation in a reference data base. Upon implementation of the MitoFit proficiency test, this quality control system will be offered to our O2k-Network Reference Laboratories in conjunction with extended technical support. This requires a solid understanding of mitochondrial respiratory physiology and international communication skills, providing a long-term perspective of collaboration. Therefore, the candidates should have a strong publication record demonstrating her/his conceptual competence in the field of mitochondrial physiology and writing skills. The positions can be filled immediately. The candidates should submit her/his application with CV and the best three publications to:
Master thesis
The Mitochondrial Research Laboratory (Prof. Erich Gnaiger; Dept Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic Surgery, D Swarovski Res Lab, MUI; and OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS) offers a master thesis position. During the master thesis project, the student will be introduced into tissue preparation (skeletal and cardiac mouse muscle) for measurement of mitochondrial respiration. The main goal is to test, using a newly developed thermoelectric cooling plate, the influence of tissue storage time, storage solutions and temperature during tissue preparation on preservation of mitochondrial respiratory function. The results contribute to the (i) standardization of tissue preparation for experimental studies (mitochondrial competence in muscle tissue) and (ii) optimization of storage conditions for organ transplantation (heart).
Please send your application with CV to [email protected].
Place of work
Innsbruck - the city in the Alps: Tyrol and its capital Innsbruck offer the highest standards of quality of life in Austria, combining the unique alpine surroundings with an excellent infrastructure. High living standards include international schools, a very good health care system, political stability and outdoor sport activities on the doorstep, e.g. skiing, hiking, mountain climbing.
