Several positions for PhD STUDENTS and POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS are available in the laboratories of Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg KRAEUSSLICH and Dr. Barbara MUELLER in the Virology division of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Heidelberg University, Germany.

We offer exciting interdisciplinary projects in a stimulating and highly interactive environment at a internationally competitive level on the world-renowned Heidelberg life sciences campus. Our research groups work on various aspects of the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) with its host cell applying tools and techniques from virology, molecular cell biology, biophysics and structural biology with a strong focus on advanced microscopy. All positions are available immediately and will be filled as soon as possible.

Candidates may apply for one or several of the following projects. Please specify in your application, which project(s) you are applying for.

1) HIV-1 IMAGING

 Due to the small size of virus particles, the microscopic analysis of virions and subviral structures was for a long time restricted to electron microscopic techniques. Recently developed super-resolution microscopy techniques break the diffraction barrier of light microscopy and provide us with methods that combine advantages of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy, opening new possibilities for the study of HIV-1 – host cell interactions (Chojnacki et al., Science 2012; Malkusch et al., 2012; Muranyi et al., PLoS Pathogens, in press).

Our lab has developed and characterized various labeled HIV-1 variants suitable for cutting-edge microscopic analyses. So far, we have employed mainly HIV derivatives tagged with autoflorescent proteins. In order to enhance replication competence of tagged virus derivatives and expand the system to viral proteins which do not tolerate bulky insertions, we are currently developing novel labeling strategies based on click-chemistry in close collaboration with groups at EMBL, Heidelberg. We are looking for a postdoc to pursue this challenging and highly promising interdisciplinary project. Candidates should have an interest in advanced fluorescence technologies and virus cell biology and a good working knowledge in chemistry. A background in experimental cell biology/virology and experience in fluorescence microscopy is advantageous.

2) HIV-1 MATURATION

HIV-1 requires proteolytic processing by the viral protease and morphological maturation to become fully infectious. We have recently developed new tools to study activation of proteolysis and subsequent changes inside the virion using a combination of biochemical and microscopic methods, including super-resolution STED and STORM microscopy as well as correlative light and electron microscopy. We are now looking for a candidate with a strong background in microscopy or biophysics and experience in cell biology/virology to pursue this interdisciplinary project. Given the need to interact with and perform experiments together with several collaborating groups, this project requires strong organizational skills, highly collaborative attitude and a good level of independence.

3) HIV-1 INTEGRATION SITES

Within the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), we are seeking a PhD student or postdoctoral fellow working on analysis of HIV-1 integration sites in samples obtained from patients or in animal models. This work will be performed in close collaboration with C. von Kalle (National Center for Tumor Research, Heidelberg) applying technology developed in this group for analysis of integration sites of lentiviral vectors (von Kalle reference). The project has a strong translational focus with frequent interaction with clinical units. Candidates should have a strong background in molecular biology and an interest in translational research. Strong organizational skills will also be required to manage this highly interdisciplinary project.

4) IMMUNOQUANT

A position will be available in the Immunoquant consortium funded by the BMBF. This consortium aims at a systems biology analysis of virus-host interactions focusing on the innate immune response. Our project will specifically deal with post-entry restrictions of HIV-1 infection, applying methods from virology, cell biology and a strong focus on microscopy. Successful candidates should have a background in molecular cell biology and – preferably – virology; experience in HIV research will be an advantage.

5) INFLUENZA

Our group has recently expanded its focus beyond HIV-1 and now also studies aspects of influenza virus host cell interactions. We therefore seek a researcher focusing on influenza virus assembly and release, applying subviral expression systems as well as reverse genetics of infectious influenza virus. Previous experience in influenza virus research and especially with reverse genetics systems would be a great advantage and we are thus primarily focusing on postdoc candidates, while applications for PhD students will also be considered.

6) DENDRITIC CELL CAPTURE

Our recent work discovered how mature dendritic cells (mDCs) capture and store HIV-1 particles in an ill-defined compartment from where it can be released upon contact with T-cells to infect the latter (Refs Nuria). We now offer a position for a researcher to further delineate this pathway and to characterize the viral storage compartment. This will require work with infectious HIV-1 and primary mDCs, also applying advanced microscopy methods including correlative light and electron microscopy.

7) IMAGING SPECIALIST

Within the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Heidelberg partner site (coordinated by HG Kräusslich) offers a position for a imaging specialist to coordinate and advance the imaging platforms for infectious disease research. We currently have systems for TIRF microscopy, confocal microscopy, 4-colour spinning disk microscopy and dSTORM super-resolution microscopy under biosafety level 2 conditions. This platform will be further expanded and will be integrated into a central microscopy platform in the new Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research currently in preparation. We are now searching for an experienced imaging specialist with broad expertise in microscopy techniques to develop and advance this imaging platform. We are looking for a research-oriented specialist with a broad expertise in various microscopy techniques who will interact with researchers from various groups and will also provide a central resource for the DZIF including training an!

 d knowledge transfer to other sites. There is limited opportunity for pursuing own research questions in this position, while the major task will be development and maintenance of a dedicated infectious disease microscopy platform.

All positions are now open for application and will be filled depending on availability of qualified candidates. Initial deadline for applications is FEBRUARY 21th, 2013, but later applications might be considered.

Please send your applications (referring to the code of the respective position) with full CV including list of publications and letter of motivation as well as names and email of references to the following address. Please also indicate your desired starting date.

Dr. Christiane Jost

Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology

University Hospital Heidelberg

Im Neuenheimer Feld 324

69120 Heidelberg

Email: christiane.jost@med.uni-heidelberg.de

homepage http://www.virology-heidelberg.de