The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute – in cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology are offering an international graduate training program. The

International Leibniz Research School (ILRS Jena)

gives doctoral researchers the possibility to prepare for their PhD exam in an ambitious program providing excellent research conditions.

We invite applications for a

PhD Student Position (Ref.No. ILRS_07/2013)

Immunevasion of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.

Characterization of fungal virulence

Candida albicans is an important human pathogenic yeast. Like many other pathogenic microbes Candida actively interferes with and evades human immune and complement recognition. During the last years we have identified several fungal immune evasion proteins including CRASP1/Gpm1, CRASP2/Pra1 and CRASP3/Gpd2. Each of the three fungal proteins binds multiple human immune regulators, including the complement regulators Factor H, FHL1 and CFHR1, as well as Plasminogen and C3, the central complement component. Each protein is exposed on the Candida surface and the proteins are also secreted. Thus these fungal immune evasion proteins (either exposed on the surface or secreted into the surrounding medium) bind multiple human plasma proteins and interfere with immune recognition at several steps. In this project we aim to identify new binding partners for the fungal proteins and define new immune inhibitory functions.

Approach: The various fungal immune evasion proteins will be recombinantly expressed and new binding and interacting human plasma proteins will be identified by immune adsorption in combination with mass spectrometry. The identified new human binding and interaction partners will be cloned and also recombinantly expressed and the interaction will be studied in detail using ELISA, immunprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance. In addition the complement inhibitory role will be studied in detail and also an interaction and degradation of extracellular matrix components will be defined.

Goal: By identifying, analyzing and characterizing the central immune evasion proteins of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans we aim to understand the disease mechanisms and infection process in more detail.

We expect:

-       a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences. Research at ILRS is centred around “Microbial and Biomolecular Interactions”. Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.

-       high motivation and interest to join one of the research areas of ILRS

-       an integrative and cooperative personality

-       very good communication skills in English

We offer:

-       a top-level research environment

-       efficient supervision by a team of advisors

-       a comprehensive mentoring program (cf. Program of Study)

-       courses in state-of-the-art technologies and soft skills

-       strong communication and interaction between the involved institutions

-       Jena – City of Science: innovative business activities, successful scientific centres and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

The three-year PhD position is available starting from August 2013. Salary will be paid according to TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees). HKI is an equal opportunity employer.

Further information:

Prof. Dr. Peter Zipfel, PI                      peter.zipfel@hki-jena.de

Dr. Christine Vogler, ILRS Coordinator  ilrs@hki-jena.de

The application process is handled exclusively online, via the website of the Graduate School of Excellence ‘Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC)’. For the first step please acquaint yourself with the scientific projects offered on this website

www.jsmc.uni-jena.de/phd-program/fellowship-application/vacant-projects/

Then follow the instructions and thoroughly complete the online application form.

For more information about the ILRS Jena, please visit www.ilrs.hki-jena.de

Deadline for application: May 1st, 2013

Selected applicants will be invited to attend the JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena (scheduled for the end of June/beginning of July).

Katja Präfcke

apply@jsmc.info

International Leibniz Research School (ILRS Jena)

Jena, Deutschland

Cell type-specific role of PI3Kgamma in sepsis-associated liver failure (Jena, Deutschland)

The Graduate School of Excellence ‘JSMC’ invites applications for a

Doctoral Researcher Position TV-L E13 65% (Ref.No. 82/2013)

to conduct research on the project