PhD Position – Molecular mechanisms of vesicular glutamate transporters

PhD Position – Molecular mechanisms of vesicular glutamate transporters

The laboratory of Christoph Fahlke in the Institute of Biological Information Processing – Molekular und Zellphysiologie is looking for a PhD student with a thesis project that focuses on transport mechanisms of neurotransmitter transporters. We are an interdisciplinary group focusing on the molecular and cellular function of membrane transport proteins (Cell (2015)
160
, 542-553, Nat Commun (2017) 8, 2279, Nat Commun (2023)
14
, 2723, EMBO J (2024)
43
, 6740–6765, PLoS Comput Biol (2025)
21
, e1013214) and on their dysfunction in genetic and acquired human diseases (Nat Genet (2018)
50
, 349-354, Brain Commun (2020) 4, fcaa
022, Ebio Med (2025)
114
, 105648).

The PhD project focuses on a family of glutamate transporters, vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), that are responsible for the accumulation of glutamate in synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian brain. VGLUTs are dual function proteins that combine secondary active glutamate transport with chloride channel function; understanding the underlying processes is challenging due to the complex, intertwined nature of both transport functions.

The project is based on a combination of cellular electrophysiology (patch clamp), mathematical modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, with the aim to understand transporter function at atomic resolution.

Your job will include tasks in the following areas:

• Electrophysiology (whole-cell and excised patch clamp recordings)
• Kinetic modeling of transporter function
• Molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, machine learning/deep learning, Markov State Models, docking

• Master degree in the field of Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Mathematics or related
• High motivation and interest and/or experience in biophysics and biochemistry
• Social competence and good communication skills for collaborative work in and with interdisciplinary teams
• Ability to communicate in English

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Research & Infrastructure: Access to multiple techniques ranging from computational biology on individual proteins to the analysis of organ functions in animal models. Opportunity to get expertise in state‑of‑art techniques and strategies in the field of cellular electrophysiology, kinetic modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations
• Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS). Possible membership in the International Helmholtz Research School of Biophysics and Soft Matter that provides a complementary research training at the interfaces of biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as transferable skills courses
• Health & well‑being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options—you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view
• Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your…