The Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student for the newly funded ERC project to develop phage therapy, which utilizes phages or phage-derived inhibitors as natural ways to fight antibiotic resistance. The successful applicant will be involved in the development and the use of new methods and tools for illustrating bacteriophages infecting antibiotic resistance bacteria, including isolating, handling, analyzing phages on antibiotic resistance bacteria, as well as interpreting metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic (RNA-seq), proteomic data.
The research focus in our lab is on the interaction of bacteria and viruses (phages). As pioneers in the development of “metaviromics” which involves isolating and sequencing the RNA/DNA from all of the viruses in a sample directly, we query ‘wild’ viral populations to identify important hypotheses that can be evaluated using model-system approaches (Deng et al, Nature, 2014, doi: 10.1038/nature13459). We also employ sing-cell assays to investigate questions that are critical for modelling and predicting the impacts of phage-host interactions.
The University of Freiburg is one of the few universities in Germany that offers a curriculum in immunology as the main subject. Laboratories are located in different institutions within the Faculty of Biology, the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and the University Medical Center.
The Department of Molecular Immunology focuses on:
– the activation of B cells and T cells
– synthetic biology and systems biology of the immune system
– checkpoints of B cell development
The Departments of Cellular and Molecular Immunology and Developmental Immunology at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics focus on:
– the transcriptional control of B cell development
– the development of lymphoid organs
– the regulation of innate immunityAt the University Medical Center the Division of Immunology of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene (IMMH), the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of the Department of Medicine, the Division of Allergy of the Department of Dermatology focus on research in immunology, with a broad range of research areas:- innate immunity
– the control of infectious and autoimmune diseases
– immunodeficiencies
– malignant diseases of the lymphatic system and tumor immunologyFor detail information visit the web pages of the principal investigators where you will also have information on their affiliation to different collaborative research centers.Several PIs belong to the Centre of Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) which aims at:· identifying new human immunodeficiency disorders· developing innovative approaches for therapy of immunodeficiencies· initiating clinical studies to improve diagnosis and therapy for immunodeficient patients
Skills/Qualifications
- Master in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, (environmental) genomics, microbial ecology or a related field
- Experience in any of the following areas: viral genomics, metagenomics, NGS, phage biology
- Fluency in English both spoken and written
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Benefits
Our Offer:
- Working in an innovative, well- equipped and scientifically stimulating surrounding.
- Working as part of a young and motivated team.
- Further training opportunities.
Selection process
Term:
The position starts as soon as possible with a standard public service salary (TVöD EG 13 65%). Duration: 3.5 years; option of further 0.5 year extension.
Deadline for applications: until the position is filled
How to Apply:
Please send your electronic application (in English) in a single PDF file – including CV and a complete list of publications, statement of research interests, and at least two reference letters – to Dr. Li Deng, email: li.deng@helmholtz-muenchen.de. Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany. Informal enquiries can also be addressed to the same email address.
Helmholtz Zentrum München
Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)
Institute of Groundwater Ecology
Ingolstädter Landstraße 1
85764 Neuherberg
Germany
Additional comments
About Us
The Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, a leading association Europe-wide, focusing on “Environmental Health”. The aim of our research is to proactively detect health risks for both humans and the environment, decoding the mechanisms of pathogenesis and developing concepts for prevention and therapy of diseases.
The Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) is a national research centre of the Federal Government and the State of Bavaria with its headquarters in Neuherberg to the north of Munich, and is a member of the Helmholtz Association, the largest public research organisation in Germany.
The Helmholtz Zentrum München as holder of the Bavarian Advancement of Women Prize and of the Total E-Quality Certificate is striving to increase the overall proportion of women on its staff and thus expressly urges qualified women to apply.
Specific Requirements
Experience with flow cytometers is advantageous.
REQUIREMENTS
Offer Requirements
- REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVELOther: Master Degree or equivalent
- REQUIRED LANGUAGESENGLISH: Excellent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, (environmental) genomics, microbial ecology or a related field.
- Experience in any of the following areas: viral genomics, metagenomics, NGS, phage biology
- Fluency in English both spoken and written.
Specific Requirements
Experience with flow cytometers is advantageous.
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