Chrono
Join a cohort of 12 doctoral researchers in ChronoBridge, a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network. The programme connects biological clocks, physiology and metabolism through international collaboration.
Host and supervision
The position is supervised by Prof. Charna Dibner in the Laboratory of the Translational Chronobiology and Chronomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. The laboratory studies human biological clocks and their links to metabolism, hormonal function and diseases, including diabetes and cancer. Its research connects molecular and cellular studies with potential applications in diagnostics and treatment timing.
You will receive regular supervision, advice from senior researchers, quarterly meetings with an independent advisor, an annual committee review and support from a non-academic mentor. A local co-supervisor will guide each research visit.
Research project
This WP3 project investigates how disrupted muscle clocks in type 2 diabetes affect lipid metabolism and cell membranes, particularly around the insulin receptor. It tests whether restoring clock coordination improves these properties.
Your research will involve:
- Establishing primary human muscle cell cultures from the volunteers with type 2 diabetes and normoglycemic counterparts, and measuring their molecular clocks over time.
- Analysing the types and distribution of lipid metabolites using state-of-the art single-cell and bulk approaches based on mass spectrometry and imaging.
- Measuring membrane fluidity and the lipid environment of the insulin receptor.
- Testing clock-modifying compounds and combining molecular rhythms, imaging and lipid data.
The project aims to establish the links between biological clocks, lipid metabolism, and insulin responsiveness in human skeletal muscle in physiological or type 2 diabetes context..
Suggested profile
- A completed Master’s degree, or equivalent, in cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline.
- Interest in diabetes, human cell models, membrane biology and biological rhythms, and bioinformatic approaches for the data analyses. Previous laboratory or data-analysis experience is useful; specialist training will be provided.
- Scientific curiosity, critical thinking, careful research practice and enthusiasm for collaboration across Europe.
Skills you will develop
- Formulate hypotheses and design rigorous experiments or analyses.
- Interpret results critically and solve research problems.
- Write scientific papers and present findings clearly.
- Manage projects and collaborate across disciplines and countries.
- Apply research ethics and reproducible methods.
Planned research visits
Research visits to Maastricht University, EPFL and Inserm total approximately 3 months. They provide complementary methods, international collaboration and local supervision. Two separate visits to Maastricht University are planned. See the ChronoBridge “Training & network” page for mobility information.
Allowance
This is a full-time position as a doctoral researcher.
Remuneration follows the recruiting institution’s applicable salary arrangements and MSCA funding requirements.
The grant supports eligible personal and family circumstances. Your employer will explain salary, allowances and deductions.
Eligibility
Candidates of any nationality may apply, provided they:
Do not hold a doctoral degree or have successfully defended a doctoral thesis at recruitment.
Meet the doctoral programme’s admission requirements.
Have not lived or mainly worked or studied in Switzerland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before recruitment, subject to defined exceptions.
Have professional English, with evidence assessed by the recruiting institution.
See “Who can Apply?” on the ChronoBridge “How to Apply” page for the detailed criteria and exceptions.
Network training
You will benefit from at least 100 hours of scientific and transferable-skills training, three years of Nature Masterclasses access, network congresses, workshops, online clubs and an individual career-development plan. The programme offers connections with academic, industry and clinical partners. See “Training & network” for the full programme and practical arrangements.