PhD student position in Cell Biology 100%, starting date upon agreement The research of the Laboratory of Oral Cell Biology at the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, University of Bern, Switzerland answers clinically oriented mechanistic questions related to oral hard and soft tissue regeneration, including functional characterization of autogenous bone, extraction socket soft tissue, connective tissue grafts, bioactive substances and regenerative materials. The Laboratory of Oral Cell Biology has attracted considerable peer-reviewed funding and has published a number of high-impact publications in the field of regenerative medicine. The laboratory is located within the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine (sitem-insel), thus offering a modern infrastructure and interactive working environment. The Challenge We are offering an exciting PhD position to a highly motivated student with a good attention to detail. The research project will focus on investigating cell-cell and ECM-cell signaling in oral tissues with a special emphasis on molecular interplays during osteogenesis and osseointegration using a wide variety of cell and molecular biological techniques. In addition, the applicant will have the unique opportunity to work in close collaboration with clinicians and on projects investigating the influence of regenerative materials on oral cell behavior. Your Profile • M.Sc. degree in cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedicine or related biological sciences. • Profound experience in cell culture techniques (primary and immortalized cells) as well as cell and molecular biological methods is required. • Additional experience in genomics, bioinformatics, imaging and related image-analysis technologies is an asset. • Excellent command of written and spoken English (official language of the PhD program), including scientific writing skills. • Highly organized, reliable and flexible personality, able to work both under supervision and independently. • Strong collaborative spirit (team player). We offer • A full-time PhD position funded for a period of three years according to the regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation. • The successful applicant will join a small and vibrant research team and will be enrolled in the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern (www.gcb.unibe.ch). This will complement the laboratory training with high-quality education opportunities. • Modern infrastructure, international and collaborative research environment. • Opportunity to contribute to highly translational research projects and to produce results of high impact for a large audience of interested readers, ranging from basic researchers to clinicians in the fields of dental implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, and dermatology. Application and contact • Applicants should be able to attend an in-person interview in Bern, Switzerland. • The application should contain: 1) letter of motivation with a short summary of previous research accomplishments (e.g. from your Master’s thesis), 2) curriculum vitae, 3) transcripts of your academic records from your university and a copy of your degree, 4) contact details of two academic referees (e.g. your Master’s thesis supervisor). • Applications should be sent electronically as a single PDF to Priv.-Doz. Dr. phil. nat. Maria Asparuhova, Head of the Laboratory of Oral Cell Biology, e-mail mariya.asparuhova@unibe.ch