Open Positions

We are looking for a new PhD student to join our efforts to understand the roles of biological sulfane sulfur species (persulfides, polysulfides) as antioxidants and as inhibitors of ferroptosis.

This work is part of the DFG-funded Priority Program SPP2306 "Ferroptosis: from Molecular Basics to Clinical Applications".

Highly motivated applicants with a solid background in chemistry/biochemistry/cell biology are encouraged to apply.

We expect excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for science.

Applications must include a cover letter, CV, copies of exams, and names of 2 referees. Please send your application to t.dick{at}dkfz.de.

We are looking for a highly motivated student to work on a Master thesis in the field of free radical biology

Project summary:
Aerobic life depends on the use of molecular oxygen (O2) in energy conversion. However, O2 is a potentially dangerous molecule. O2 enables free radical chain reactions that damage biomolecules, such as lipids. Obviously, cells need to keep free radicals under tight control. Recently our group discovered a novel radical scavenging system that protects cells against lipid oxidation and membrane damage (references 1, 2). It is based on little known metabolites called persulfides (RSSH). So far, we have studied small molecule persulfides (GSSH), but persulfides also form abundantly on the surface of proteins. We want to know if protein persulfides protect proteins against radical damage. We recently developed a convenient in vitro system to generate and study protein persulfides (reference 3) and we will use it to study radical reactions on a protein surface using mass spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance.

For enquiries please contact Prof. Dr. Tobias Dick (t.dick{at}dkfz.de).

1. Barayeu et al. "Hydropersulfides inhibit lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by scavenging radicals." Nature Chemical Biology (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-022-01145-w

2. Fukuto, Jon M. "A radical way to avoid cell death." Nature Chemical Biology (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-022-01174-5

3. Schilling et al. "Commonly used alkylating agents limit persulfide detection by converting protein persulfides into thioethers." Angewandte Chemie International Edition 61.30 (2022): e202203684. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202283062