MSc thesis Internship — RNA Clock for Neuronal Ageing in Microgravity
Location: House of BioHealth, Luxembourg
Type: Full-time MSc Thesis Internship
Parkinson's will affect 25 million people by 2050, and there is still no treatment against the disease. The bottleneck isn't chemistry – it's biology. While Parkinson's is a disease of ageing, every lab-grown neuron used to hunt for drugs against it is, in effect, a newborn cell: reprogramming wipes out the marks of age. Drugs are tested on tissue that has never grown old, so they fail in patients.
Microgravity changes that. In orbit, human neurons mature and acquire ageing hallmarks in weeks rather than months. Exobiosphere – the world's first Space Contract Research Organization – is developing a model that will harness this unique advantage. But a model of accelerated ageing needs a way to measure age. That's your project: an RNA clock for iPSC-derived neuronal organoids. Apply existing models or train a new one to answer the key question – how much time does a week in microgravity buy?
You bring: bioinformatics or systems biology, Python/R, and an appetite for stem cells, machine learning, and space.
Responsibilities
Apply existing transcriptomic ageing clocks to iPSC-derived neuronal organoid data, and train a new model where existing ones fall short.
Curate and process public RNA-seq datasets covering neuronal ageing, differentiation, and iPSC reprogramming.
Benchmark model performance and quantify the biological age gained per week in microgravity.
Build reproducible analysis pipelines with clear documentation.
Develop graphical representations and data visualizations to communicate results to the team and to partners.
Contribute to a publication, internal technical report, or website content showcasing the findings.
Requirements
Currently enrolled in a master's program in bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology, or a related field.
Experience in Python and/or R, with hands-on experience handling omics data.
Familiarity with machine learning fundamentals — regression, regularization, cross-validation, and the difference between a good score and a good model.
Ability to work with imperfect public datasets and to synthesize complex results into clear, engaging formats.
Interest in stem cell biology, ageing, and space research.
Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the team.
nice to have
Familiarity with epigenetic or transcriptomic clock literature (Horvath, Peters, and successors).
Experience with neuronal or organoid models.
join ouR team!
Why EXOBIOSPHERE?
Innovative Environment: Join a forward-thinking team where your organizational skills and expertise will support groundbreaking discoveries. We foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
Strategic Location: Work at the House of BioHealth in Luxembourg, a premier biotech hub offering state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant community of like-minded professionals.
Professional Growth: We are committed to your career development, providing ample opportunities for advancement and professional growth in the exciting field of space-based drug discovery.
Competitive Packages: We offer attractive compensation packages, including benefits and incentives, designed to reward your hard work and dedication.
Collaborative Culture: Be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values diverse perspectives and works together to achieve ambitious goals.
Global Impact: Contribute to pioneering research that has the potential to transform healthcare and improve lives worldwide.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to work at the exciting intersection of space and health, where your contributions will have a global impact. We seek passionate and driven individuals who are eager to work hard and be part of our visionary team. We offer competitive packages and a dynamic, collaborative environment at the House of BioHealth in Luxembourg.
Apply Now and Launch Your Career into Space with EXOBIOSPHERE!