wanted as soon as possible at the Institute of Pharmacology at Heidelberg University's Faculty of Medicine.

In the department of Prof. Marc Freichel, Ca2+ signaling pathways in cellular and integrative organ functions are investigated. The main focus lies on TRP and Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane as well as in acidic organelles such as endo-lysosomes and their role in Ca2+-dependent signal transduction and gene programs, with an emphasis on cells of the cardiovascular system (cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, macrophages, platelets, chromaffin cells) and the processes they regulate, including contractility and metabolism, neurotransmitter secretion, and activation of the autonomic nervous system. The laboratory has longstanding expertise in transgenic approaches including genome editing, in cell (ES, iPS) and animal models, as well as AAV vector technologies, which are employed for generating disease models, identifying new drug targets, and validating small-molecule compounds.

The advertised PhD position is embedded in a project investigating a newly identified transmembrane protein in endo-lysosomes of cardiomyocytes. The focus is on its role in the regulation of arrhythmias and cardiac metabolism, which critically contribute to the development of cardiomyopathies. The project involves molecular and cellular experimental approaches to characterize the functional properties of the protein and to analyze its relevance for pathophysiological processes in the heart, and is integrated into several collaborative research networks (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, TR-SFB 152, SFB 1550).