"Ph.D. position MSS-11-2014" (Bonn)

The center of advanced european studies and research (caesar) in Bonn, Germany, is an asso-ciated Institute of the Max Planck Society, one of Europe's leading basic research organizations. About 80 Max Planck Institutes conduct basic research and are involved in more than 2,000 co-operations with nearly 6,000 partners in over 100 countries.

For the VolkswagenStiftung-funded project on

"Nanotemplates for the combined structural and functional analysis of membrane-associated proteins"

the FreiGeist group of Dr. Elmar Behrmann, embedded in the Department of Molecular Sensory

Systems and associated with the Max-Planck-Fellow group for Chemical Biology, offers, starting November 1st 2014 or later, a Ph.D. position

(biophysicist, biochemist, molecular biologist or chemist)

Reference: MSS 11/2014

Project description

Lipid membranes are crucial for life as they are the boundaries allowing cells to separate self from non-self. Without them all nutrients and metabolites would simply dissipate, and the spark of life be extinguished. Still, cells need to be able to interact with their environment and/or their neighbors, especially those that constitute multicellular organisms. Consequently, cells have evolved an intricate protein machinery to shape and remodel their membranous boundaries.

In order to aid structural studies on membrane-remodeling proteins, our lab is working on the devel-opment of advanced macromolecular scaffolds and their application to study the three-dimensional structures of membrane-associated proteins by electron microscopy.

The Ph.D. candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the development of a specialized scaffold geared towards elucidating the structure of membrane-associated proteins in a dynamic manner, while maintaining them in a native-like environment. Responsibilities will include the actual creation and characterization of said template structures, their optimization and application to the study of a specific membrane-associated protein involved in regulating endocytic processes. While prior experience in either lipid (bio)chemistry and/or imaging techniques (especially electron microscopy) is a benefit, it is not a strict requirement. Rather, we are looking for a self-motivated candidate, who is able and willing to learn new techniques, not afraid of working with computers and high-end microscopes, and able to recognize and tackle problems in an independent manner.

You will work in a young and dynamic environment, embedded in the scientific community of the Max Planck Society and the universities of Bonn and Cologne. Caesar offers a family friendly and international atmosphere, and supports individual development with a set of trainings and seminars. Caesar provides a very modern infrastructure (including access to state-of-the-art electron microscopes) in an attractive building located in the park of the Rheinaue.

Highly qualified and self-motivated candidates all over the world are invited to submit their applica-tion. Please send your complete application including your CV, your school and university grades, and letters of reference to: jobs@caesar.de (please merge all application files into one single pdf-file).

For inquiries please contact elmar.behrmann@charite.de

Caesar is certified according to the audit berufundfamilie

rita.repschläger@caesar.de

caesar

Bonn