At the Structural Biochemistry Institute (ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany), we are looking for two highly motivated PhD students interested in biochemical and structural studies on photosignaling proteins and enzymes. The positions can be filled starting from March 2013.
The project is part of a strategic research initiative "Next generation of biotechnological methods- Biotechnology 2020+", funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research, where several research groups from Research Centre Juelich (FZJ) and Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf will combine their efforts to develop novel opto-sensors and photoregulatory proteins for the light-mediated analysis and control of molecular systems. FZJ is one of the largest interdisciplinary German research centers in Europe, located close to Cologne, Netherlands and Belgium that offers excellent opportunities for research in an international environment. Salaries are competitive (TvöD + allowance depending on the candidate's profile) and dissertations are usually completed within three years. Equal opportunities are a cornerstone of our staff policy for which we have received the "TOTAL E-QUALITY" award. Project details: Blue-light photoreceptors containing light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) domains regulate a myriad of different physiological responses in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Due to their intrinsic photochemical /photophysical properties, LOV proteins have proven as novel fluorescent reporters and blue-light sensitive photoswitches. Biotechnological applications include their use as real-time oxygen independent flavin-based fluorescent reporter proteins (FbFPs), as biological trap to produce flavin mononucleotide (FMN), as well as in development of LOV-based optogenetic tools. In ICS-6, our group utilizes structure-based techniques. Specifically, protein expression, purification, crystallization, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and comparative modeling will be employed to design and characterize the photophysical properties of various FbFPs. The selected PhD students will also collaborate with partners from the network for the use of other molecular biology and fluorescence techniques. More details about the actual research projects are available from the contact persons listed below. PD Dr. Renu Batra-Safferling (Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) PD Dr. Joachim Granzin (Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) Requirements: Candidates should have a recent MSc or equivalent degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry or a related discipline. Skills in either protein chemistry & purification, or protein crystallography would be an asset. Application: Please send your application to above listed contact persons via e-mail, including the following documents: - Cover letter explaining the motivation for the position - A complete CV - Copy of exam certificate - Names of two Referees (with phone no., email, and relation to the applicant) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr. Achim Bachem (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
