Ph.D. Candidate (all Genders)

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ,Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice. Ph.D. Candidate (all Genders) Endocrine active substances can pose a threat to both human health and the environment by potentially disrupting crucial endocrine-controlled functions, including organism development and reproductive capacity. Currently, the assessment for suspected endocrine disruptive substances involves in vivo mechanistic screening assays, such as the Fish Short Term Reproduction Assay (FSTRA, OECD TG 229, 230), typically conducted with adult fish. This results in the annual use of thousands of fish in animal tests, particularly in higher tier studies.To reduce this number of required test organism and improve the robustness of the assessment process, the UFZ (Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung), Fraunhofer IME (Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Oekologie), and BAYER AG are launching the collaborative research Project DiMEP (Digitale Muster Erkennung und Prädiktion). DiMEP aims to improve regulatory assessments of endocrine active chemicals by using molecular (transcriptomic) and phenotypic fingerprints, employing the zebrafish embryo (ZFE) model as an alternative to animal testing with juvenile/adult fish. The project seeks to advance the required Fish early life stage test to detect endocrine active substances, by providing additional mechanistic information.In this project we will record sublethal endocrine activity effect patterns (ecotoxicogenomic & phenotypic) in the zebrafish embryo for a comprehensive set of known endocrine active reference chemicals. Computational tools and machine learning will then be used to identify robust toxicogenomic patterns linked to apical endocrine active outcomes. This approach is expected to significantly reduce the need for animal testing in the short term through endocrine active prediction in ZFE and prioritization of compounds for higher tier studies. YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES You conduct literature work to compile, characterize and facilitate the selection of endocrine activity reference substances and negative controls You conduct experimental testing using ZFE as a main model system focusing on phonemic & transcriptomics Bioinformatics work processing and interpreting the phonemic & transcriptomics results You will communicate the obtained results at both international conferences and via publications WHO YOU ARE We are excited about your talent and passion for this position. Attracting the right talent is important to us. We would be happy to work with you to identify and create the career and development opportunities you are looking for - also in part time. And if you don't meet all the requirements, we still look forward to receiving your application. We are all constantly learning! You have Master's degree in ecotoxicology, molecular biology, or a related field You bring a strong background in ecotoxicology, molecular (transcriptomic) techniques and/or bioinformatics You have the ability to work independently as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team at two project partners (Bayer AG & Fraunhofer IME) You have excellent excellent written and verbal communication skills in English WHAT WE OFFEROur benefits package is flexible, appreciative, and tailored to your lifestyle, because: What matters to you, matters to us! Full-time 3-year Ph.D. position with a competitive salary. Opportunity to work with leading experts in ecotoxicology, toxicogenomics and regulatory assessments at all project partners. Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and computational resources. Potential for publication in high-impact scientific journals and presentation at international conferences. We ensure your financial stability through a competitive compensation package, consisting of an attractive base pay and our annual bonus. In addition, managers can recognize special contributions by granting an individual performance award or top performance award. Whether it’s hybrid work models or part-time arrangements: whenever it is possible, you will have the flexibility to work how, when and where it is best for you. Your family is a top priority. We offer loving company daycare centers at multiple locations, support in finding childcare, time off for the care of elderly or dependent family members, summer camps for children, and much more. We support your professional growth by providing access to learning and development opportunities, training programs through the Bayer Learning Academy, development dialogues, as well as coaching and mentoring programs. We promote health awareness and opportunities for selfcare through various measures, such as free health checks with the company doctor and our health platform #machfit. We embrace diversity by providing an inclusive work environment in which you are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to bring your whole self to work. The position is a three-year temporary project position. Be You. Be Bayer. #LI-AMSEMEA Location: Germany : North Rhine Westfalia : Monheim Division: Crop Science Reference Code: 814697 Job Segment: Biology, Molecular Biology, Law, Scientific, Temporary, Science, Legal, Contract, Engineering