PhD Position: Deciphering the disorder-mediated interactome of the BAF-associated ARID proteins with implications in colorectal cancer (m/f/d)

Organisation/Company International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz Department Institute of Molecular Biology Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering talented scientists the chance to work on cutting edge research projects . As an IPP PhD student, you will join a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.

Activities and responsibilities

Transcription, replication and DNA repair represent key processes that act on DNA to ensure cell survival. As DNA is packaged into chromatin, chromatin remodeling, for example by BAF complexes, is required to coordinate and support genome maintenance processes. The BAF complexes exist in three different subtypes, each composed of multiple subunits. In previous work by us in collaboration with the Schick lab (IMB), we found that loss of either of the three BAF subtype‑determining ARID subunits results in distinct vulnerabilities and resistances upon treatment with genotoxic or cell cycle‑inhibiting agents. Since mutation of the ARID subunits is frequently associated with cancer, we believe that these phenotypes are relevant to dissect molecular and cellular functions of the ARIDs and understand mechanisms that drive disease upon ARID perturbation. The challenge is that the ARID subunits are enormous proteins with more than 1000 residues being intrinsically disordered. They are thus, difficult to study, and little is known about their regulatory functions. The Schick and Luck lab have developed jointly new computational and experimental techniques that enable the study of the ARID proteins in unprecedented ways.

PhD Project: Deciphering the disorder‑mediated interactome of the BAF‑associated ARID proteins with implications in colorectal cancer

In this primarily experimental project, the PhD candidate will apply novel NGS and structural proteomics techniques in combination with structure prediction tools such as AlphaFold and other in‑house developed software, to discover direct interaction partners of the ARID proteins and dissect their interaction interfaces. We hypothesize that most regulatory and differential interaction partners between the ARID proteins that drive different phenotypes, are mediated by the disordered regions of the ARID proteins, which are poorly studied.

In collaboration with the Schick lab, the PhD candidate will work with CRISPR‑engineered cell lines to validate interaction interfaces and dissect the relevance of these novel interaction partners in mediating ARID subunit‑specific functions in the context of DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. We are particularly interested in the relevance of these findings for colorectal cancer with possible further functional characterization in colon organoids.

This project is embedded within the collaborative research consortium SFB1361 ( www.sfb1361.de , pending funding decision in November 2026).

Qualification profile

Are you an ambitious scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start! All you need is:

• Master or equivalent
• Interactive personality & good command of English
• 2 letters of reference

We offer

• Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language
• Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
• Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
• Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis
• A lively community ofmore than 200 PhD students from 44 different countries

The deadline for applications is 15 October 2026. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 18+19 January 2027.
Starting date: 1 February - 31 July 2027