PhD position in molecular immunology
Project outline:
- CMV encodes several immune evasion proteins, and some of them are able to retain MHC-I proteins inside the cell for inhibition of the anti-CMV immune response (for further information, see our publication Cell Sci. 129 (2016), 219). The holder of this position will focus on the molecular mechanisms of viral interference with antiviral immunity. This involves studying protein trafficking and protein-protein interactions by pulse-chase, co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro assays, and microscopy.
- Salary is according to TV-L E13 (50%). The position can be started immediately and is initially limited to three years. The project is funded by the Tönjes-Vagt-Stiftung Bremen.
Candidates should have all of the following:
- MSc in biochemistry, biophysics, or similar, completed in 2022.
- Hands-on research experience (i.e., an experimental Master thesis)
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
We look for coworkers who are ambitious, energetic, creative, intellectual, and consciously independent. You should be happy to work in an interdisciplinary environment and be a good teamworker. We expect that you will shape the project yourself, learn new methods, and pursue collaborations with others in- and outside the group.
Background information: The Springer group investigate the cell biology, biochemistry, and immuno-biotechnology of MHC class I and similar proteins in the immune response. We use a wide variety of methods and work with many collaborators.
Constructor University is a private research and teaching university. Our life sciences laboratories have state-of-the-art equipment for research in biochemistry, cell biology, and biophysics. There are about 10 research groups in the life sciences with PhD students and postdocs. The campus is an exciting English-language environment with students and scientists from 80 nations.
Bremen is a beautiful and vibrant port city in the North of Germany, close to the North Sea. It is a good place to live since there is a lot to do, and the cost of living is reasonable.
The position is limited to three years, with extensions possible based on availability of funding. Review of the applications will begin immediately. This advertisement is valid until August 31, 2024.
Application: Please email your letter of motivation (specific to the project), CV, and contact information for two referees to Sebastian Springer (sspringer@constructor.university).
General information on working in the Springer lab:
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students of Jacobs University usually work in our lab in the context of third-year lab rotations. In exceptional cases, we may have space for highly motivated students to volunteer in the laboratory. Please contact Prof. Springer.
Graduate Students (MSc level)
Students of the MoLife program, as well as from other universities, are welcome to ask about the possibility of lab rotations and Masters theses.
PhD students
From time to time, additional PhD positions become available. Please contact Prof. Springer. We are especially looking for graduates with biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology degrees who already have extensive laboratory experience. For your application to be considered, please send a statement of how your research experience can contribute to our efforts.
PhD candidates who wish to apply for a DAAD fellowship (or similar) to come and work with us are welcome to approach us. We are interested in people with practical experience in biochemistry, chemistry, and biology, but also computer science or (theoretical) physics, for approaches that connect theory and experiments. Please don’t wait until right before the grant deadline!
Postdoctoral fellows
Postdoctoral fellows in our group usually come with their own funding. We’re happy to help you put together a grant application. Please contact Prof. Springer.