Evolution of Species-Specific Oxygen Sensing
Advisor: Can Aztekin
Location: Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society
Recent work from our group has shown that species finely tune their oxygen-sensing machinery, influencing their regenerative capacities. We further demonstrated that altered expression of HIF1A regulatory genes is associated with this phenotype (Tsissios et al., bioRxiv 2024). However, it remains unclear how these oxygen-sensing mechanisms evolved—and how they became linked to regenerative ability across species.
This project aims to uncover how species-specific oxygen sensing evolved and how it shapes regenerative capacity across species. Using a combination of multi-omics approaches (including single-cell sequencing and CUT&Tag) and diverse culture systems, we will investigate the molecular mechanisms governing species-specific oxygen-sensing strategies.
The PhD candidate will:
• Use diverse culture systems such as Xenopus oocytes and mammalian stem-cell models
• Perform and analyse high-throughput omics experiments, with a focus on CUT&Tag and scRNA-seq
• Integrate cross-species datasets to identify evolutionary patterns in oxygen-sensing pathways
• Work within an interdisciplinary environment spanning evolutionary biology and regenerative biology
This position is ideal for a highly organized and ambitious researcher with a strong interest in:
• Regeneration and evolutionary mechanisms
• Computational biology and quantitative approaches
A strong foundation in computational sciences, mathematics, or statistics and a keen interest in regenerative biology are preferred. Candidates should possess coding skills adequate for analysing CUT&Tag and scRNA-seq datasets, or demonstrate the ability to acquire these skills rapidly.
More information about the research of the Aztekin Lab and a selection of recent publications can be found on his faculty page.
To apply
- Check that you meet our requirements
- Familiarize yourself with the application process and have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions
- Register to apply and complete the application form
Application deadline: 19 January 2026