Postdoctoral Position in Structural Biology/Natural Product Biochemistry The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and its branch Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research (in Braunschweig and Saarbrücken, Germany) announce an opening for a postdoctoral research fellow in structural biology/natural product biochemistry. The position is associated with the departments “Microbial Natural Products” and “Structure and Function of Proteins”. Together, these groups work towards the discovery of novel anti-infectives.
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research: Over 1000 people are employed at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and its branch institute, the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS). Together, these institutions aim at developing new strategies against infectious disease within the health program of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. One of our main activities is in the field of discovering new antibiotics from bacterial sources and investigating their mode of action and biosynthesis. The department “Microbial Natural Products” headed by Prof. Dr. Rolf Müller is internationally renowned for myxobacterial natural product research; the department “Structure and Function of Proteins” headed by Prof. Dr. Wulf Blankenfeldt works towards the elucidation and functional characterization of proteins involved in all aspects of infection biology. Both departments offer world-class equipment to pursue projects in natural product biochemistry within an environment that provides access to state-of-the-art facilities for infection research. Projects: The successful candidate will participate in joint projects of the departments “Microbial Natural Products” and “Structure and Function of Proteins”. He/she will be based at the Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig to determine crystal structures of as well as biochemically and biophysically characterize proteins involved in the biosynthesis and interaction of antibiotically active natural products. The responsibilities will also include regular synchrotron data collection campaigns (PETRAIII, Hamburg; BESSYII, Berlin; SLS, Villigen/Swizerland; ESRF, Grenoble/France) and visits to the Helmholtz Institute in Saarbrücken. Prerequisites: Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in a life sciences related subject at the time of their employment. They should have a strong background in all aspects of macromolecular crystallography, including techniques of recombinant protein production and biophysical as well as biochemical characterization. Because of the collaborative nature of the planned projects, strong communication skills in English are a must. Location: Headquarter Braunschweig, occasionally Saarbrücken branch Research Group: Microbial Natural Products - Prof. Dr. Rolf Müller Structure and Function of Proteins - Prof. Wulf Blankenfeldt The Handicapped: Qualified applicants with a disability will be given preference. Starting date: March 2015 Contract time limit: 3 years Probation period: 6 months Salary: TVöD E13 Applications accepted until 31.12.2014 Candidates are asked to submit a full CV including a publication list, a cover letter outlining their interest in these positions, a brief summary of current and past research experience (max. 2 pages) and contact data of at least two referees. All documents and information should be provided in English or German. Applications should refer to code 80/2014 and be sent by 15.12.2014 to: Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Dept. of Human Resources Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig E-Mail: [email protected] Information about the Institute and the group can be found on our website. ________________________________ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH | Inhoffenstraße 7 | 38124 Braunschweig | www.helmholtz-hzi.de Das HZI ist seit 2007 zertifiziertes Mitglied im "audit berufundfamilie" Vorsitzende des Aufsichtsrates: MinDir’in Bärbel Brumme-Bothe, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung Stellvertreter: MinDirig Rüdiger Eichel, Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Dirk Heinz; Franziska Broer Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) Sitz der Gesellschaft: Braunschweig Handelsregister: Amtsgericht Braunschweig, HRB 477
