ob Title:  Postdoctoral Position in Macromolecular Crystallography
Job Number:  4009518 (Ref.#. 30/2011)
Date Posted:  06/29/2011
Application Deadline:  7/23/2011

Job Description
A postdoctoral position is available in the group of Dr. Andrea Scrima at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany. The Young Investigators Group “Structural Biology of Autophagy” studies molecular protein complexes involved in the regulation of autophagy in the context of infectious diseases and pathogen defense.

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research:
More than 600 people are employed at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, a research institution in the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres funded jointly by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Lower Saxony. The Department of Molecular and Structural Biology offers excellent working conditions, state-of-the-art technical platforms and equipment (including bacterial, insect cell and mammalian protein expression systems, access to rotating anode X-ray source and synchrotron), a lively scientific community and excellent support for the development of personal soft-skills. The Centre’s task is to undertake biomedical research in the field of infection biology to expand our knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms behind medically relevant infectious diseases with the aim of providing the key for the development of new therapeutics and vaccines.

Project:
The aim of the project is the structural and biochemical characterization of key regulatory proteins/protein complexes in autophagy, a process involved in the degradation of and defense against a large variety of pathogens. A detailed structural insight into these regulatory autophagy pathways will help in understanding the molecular basis of autophagy-related diseases with the goal of providing new strategies for therapeutic approaches against infectious diseases. Methods will include molecular biology, protein expression and purification, X-ray crystallography and biophysical methods (ITC, fluorescence, Biacore).

Prerequisites:
Candidates should hold a PhD in life sciences at the time of their employment. Solid knowledge in crystallography (demonstrated by an excellent publication record), ability to work as part of an international team and good communication skills in English (written and spoken) are a prerequisite. Experience in protein expression (E. coli, Baculovirus/Insect cell) and purification will be considered an advantage.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Duration: Initial contract for 1 year, with option for extension
Salary: TVöD E13 + Bonus to E14
Probation period: 6 months

Information about the Institute and the group can be found on our website (http://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/research/research_groups/microbial_pathogenesis/structural_biology_of_autophagy ).

Application details:
Candidates are asked to submit a full CV, cover letter outlining the interest in this position, brief summary of the current and past research experience (max. 3 pages) and contact data of at least two referees. All documents and information should be provided in English.
Applications should refer to code 30/2011 and be sent by 23.07.2011 to:
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Dept. of Human Resources, Inhoffenstraße 7,
38124 Braunschweig
E-Mail: JobsHZI@helmholtz-hzi.de.

Contact:  Monika Gersch
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Inhoffenstraße 7
Braunschweig, 38124
Germany
Phone: ++49-531-6181-2102
Fax: ++49-531-6181-2199
Email: Monika.Gerschhelmholtz-hzi.de

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