Our lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, most notably ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), FTD (frontotemporal dementia) and Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to unravel how certain RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), in particular TDP-43 and FUS, become mislocalized and aggregated in these disorders, and how dysregulation of these RBPs causes a decline in cell function and neurodegeneration. Our previous research demonstrated that RBP mislocalisation and aggregation in ALS and FTD are intimately linked to molecular defects in 1) nuclear import, 2) control of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and 3) post-translational modifications (PTMs). We therefore study how nuclear transport, phase separation and PTMs of these disease-linked RBPs are normally regulated, how they are misregulated in disease and how these pathological changes can possibly be reversed. 

In our research, we employ biochemistry, cell/molecular biology, imaging and biophysical techniques and use a combination of cellular models, reductionist in vitro reconstitution approaches and analysis of human post-mortem brains. 

For more information, visit our website: https://www.imb.de/research/our-research-groups/dormann/research 

 We offer 

• a highly collaborative research environment and cutting edge research facilities 
• opportunity to participate in the IMB Postdoc Programme (IPPro): IMB Mainz 
• an international, diverse and fun team 

Application deadline: January 31, 2022 

Please send your application containing a motivation letter, CV and reference letters or contact information of two referees to Dorothee Dormann (ddormann@uni-mainz.de).