Your TasksWe are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with a strong biological background to join our interdisciplinary team at the interface of cell biology, biophysics, and tissue mechanics.Project OverviewEpithelial tissues cover most internal and external surfaces of the body and must continuously adapt to environmental challenges while preserving barrier function. A key regulatory mechanism is cell extrusion, a process by which epithelial cells are eliminated from the monolayer, either as apoptotic cells or as living cells during EMT, morphogenesis, or early tumor invasion.Our recent work highlights that mechanical forces, cell packing, and tissue stresses are major drivers of extrusion. However, how cells sense mechanical stress and how force determines cell fate remain largely unknown.This project aims to understand how feedback between mechanics, adhesion, and signaling controls tissue homeostasis. We will particularly focused on the impact of physical cues on caspase activation, the role of neighboring cells, cell-cell adhesion and cytoskeleton perturbations during cell extrusion.Research ObjectivesThe postdoc will investigate:How mechanical forces influence the fate of extruded cells (live vs apoptotic)How epithelial cells sense and respond to mechanical stressHow extrusion contributes to tissue remodeling, morphogenesis, and tumor progressionExperimental ApproachWe use in vitro epithelial models and ex vivo intestinal organoids, combining:Cell and molecular biologyLive-cell and tissue imagingCytoskeleton and adhesion analysisMicrofabrication and mechanical perturbationsQuantitative image analysisThis multidisciplinary project integrates physics-based approaches with experimental cell biology.Your ProfileCandidate ProfilePhD in cell biology, developmental biology, or related fieldsStrong interest in mechanobiology and tissue dynamicsExperience in cell culture, molecular biology and microscopyMotivation to work in a cross-disciplinary environment Benefits: We Have a Lot To OfferRegular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings schemePaymentTV-L E 13