Doctoral & Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Membrane Biophysics in Erlangen

Applications are invited for PhD positions/Postdoc/Senior Postdoc in our lab for theoretical and computational membrane biophysics at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.

Plasma membranes and in general biomembranes establish and maintain differences in composition between the cell or organelle interior and exterior. Biomembranes are the site for cell-cell recognition, they allow active and passive transport of material into and out of the cell, and they harbour proteins as initiators of signal transduction pathways.

Projects address the physico-chemical driving forces for the establishment of membrane domains within the immune cell plasma membrane, and their role for sensing of external signals by immune receptors and signal transduction, as well as membrane remodeling. The aim is to shed light on the cooperative action of proteins and lipids in shaping biomembrane structure.

Central questions for our research are

• How are external signals sensed by immune cells, how do lipids contribute to signal transfer across the cell membrane, and how do lipids modulate immune cell activation?
• What is the role of plasma membrane domains in immune cell activation?
• Can we modulate or control immune cell function by cell membrane composition?

and more general

• What are the physical driving forces for membrane domain formation?
• How is domain formation linked to plasma membrane asymmetry?
• How are plasma membrane asymmetry and biological membrane processes interlinked?

Applicants for doctoral positions:

Candidates should preferably hold a master degree in bio-/physics, theoretical/computational chemistry, life sciences or similar and a strong interest in interdisciplinary projects and collaborations to medical/immunology groups.

Postdoc applicants:

The successful applicant has a keen interest and strong skills in methods from statistical and computational physics, in particular atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The project involves close collaboration with immunology groups. The Postdoc will have the opportunity to participate in a research cluster studying the structure and function of immune domains.

Other requirements:

High level of English and good communication skills; effective team working.

Erlangen is a center for immunobiology with more than 70 groups focusing on immunological topics. In addition, since 2021, the University of Erlangen hosts a National High Performance Computing Center (hpc.fau.de) with a focus on atomistic simulations.

Interested candidates should send one pdf document containing a cover letter, CV, and certificates to

Prof. Dr. Rainer Böckmann

Computational Biology

Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

www.biomemphys.nat.fau.de

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PhD position (m/f/d) in Molecular Biophysics of Antibiotic Resistance (65% TV-L E13, 36 month).

The Kozuch group investigates the function of (membrane) proteins that are relevant for the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Particular attention is paid to how electrostatic interactions shape the formation of functional motifs. The methodological approach is based on a combination of vibrational spectroscopy and computer-aided simulations supplemented by the use of model membrane systems and biochemical methods. Dr. Jacek Kozuch completed his doctoral thesis in biophysical chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin, then did research as a postdoc at Stanford University (USA) and is now a junior research group leader within Experimental Molecular Biophysics at the Freie Universität Berlin.

This DFG-funded project aims to research how physical/non-covalent interactions in proteins contribute to the evolution of antibacterial resistance. By combining theoretical and experimental approaches, methods of computer-assisted vibrational spectroscopy will be developed in order to understand clinically relevant evolutionary trajectories.

Relevant publications:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00578

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acscentsci.1c00880

We offer:

• the opportunity to conduct a doctorate within the stimulating, interdisciplinary and international environment of Freie Universität Berlin,
• the entry into fascinating and biomedically relevant topics of molecular biophysics,
• the development of modern, experimental and computer-aided vibrational spectroscopy.

Requirements and Qualifications

Completed scientific university studies (diploma, master) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics or in one of the related natural sciences.

We are looking for candidates with:

Experience with molecular dynamics simulations and/or vibrational spectroscopy; Knowledge and enjoyment in coding with Python; Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary environment; friendly and communicative demeanor; ability to work in a team; structured and independent work; knowledge of English; Fun and fascination with science, especially in the field of molecular biophysics.

The area of ​​responsibility includes:

• the independent processing of this scientific project,
• the implementation of molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecules in particular,
• infrared spectroscopic measurements in external electric fields (vibrational Stark spectroscopy),
• willingness to participate in international conferences,
• the opportunity for a doctorate is given as part of the third-party funded research project.

Selection process

Please contact Dr. Jacek Kozuch if more information is required (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +49 (0)30 838 64888) or visit the FU Berlin homepage: https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/wiss/20_fb-physik/PH-DFG-KO5464-4-1.html

Applications should be sent electronically until Feb. 28, 2022, indicating the reference code DFG-KO5464/4-1, (preferably as one PDF) to Dr. Jacek Kozuch: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PhD position (m/f/d) in Experimental Molecular Biophysics of Protein Misfolding in Neurodegenerative Diseases (65% TV-L E13, 36 month).

The Kozuch group investigates the function of biomedically relevant (membrane) proteins with a special focus on electrostatic interactions that shape the formation of functional motifs. The methodological approach is based on a combination of (nanoscopic) vibrational spectroscopy supplemented by the use of model membrane systems, biochemical methods and computer-aided simulations. After completing his doctoral thesis in biophysical chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin, Dr. Jacek Kozuch did research as a postdoc at Stanford University (USA) and is now a junior research group leader within Experimental Molecular Biophysics at Freie Universität Berlin.

This DFG-funded project aims to research how specific interactions with membranes for folding or misfolding of, e.g., β-amyloid or islet amyloid polypeptide can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. For this purpose, surface-enhanced (SEIRAS) and AFM-based nano-infrared spectroscopy (nanoIR) in combination with model membrane systems will be used to track folding trajectories and control them through various boundary conditions.

We offer:

• the opportunity for a PhD within the stimulating, interdisciplinary and

  international environment of Freie Universität Berlin,

• the entry into fascinating and biomedically relevant topics of molecular

  Biophysics,

• the use and further development of modern vibrational spectroscopic methods.

Requirements and Qualifications

Completed scientific university studies (diploma, master) in physics, chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or in one of the related natural sciences.

We are looking for candidates with:

Experience with vibrational spectroscopic methods and/or atomic force microscopy; handling biological samples (e.g., proteins); willingness to work in an interdisciplinary environment; friendly and communicative demeanor; ability to work in a team; structured and independent work; knowledge of English; fun and fascination with science, especially in the field of molecular biophysics.

The area of ​​responsibility includes:

• the independent conduction of this scientific project,
• the biochemical preparation of protein/peptide samples and the construction of

  membrane model systems,

• the implementation of nanoscopic and surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy

  measurements,

• participation in international conferences.

Selection process

Please contact Dr. Jacek Kozuch if more information is required (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +49 (0)30 838 64888) or visit the FU Berlin homepage: https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/wiss/20_fb-physik/PH-KO5464-5.html

Applications (including cover letter, CV, certificates, one letter of recommendation as a single PDF) should be sent electronically by e-mail to Dr. Jacek Kozuch: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Applications are invited for a PhD position in the research group of Professor Karin Hauser at the University of Konstanz. The project is dedicated to study protein folding dynamics by time-resolved infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In particular, a homebuilt IR spectrometer with a laser-excited temperature-jump will be used to monitor submillisecond structural dynamics. Focus of the project is the understanding of molecular mechanisms in the stabilization of protein structures. Model peptides with novel site-specific infrared probes will be applied to analyze structural dynamics on the basis of individual amino acids, thereby exploring backbone and side-chain dynamics separately.
We are looking for a highly motivated student who has successfully completed a master in (bio)physics or chemistry. The ideal candidate should have experience in spectroscopic techniques or laser spectroscopy or optics. Interest in biophysical research and interdisciplinary work is expected. Further requirements are the ability to work independently and in a team, as well as good English language proficiency.
The position is integrated in the Collaborative Research Center 969 “Chemical and Biological Principles of Cellular Proteostasis” (A2) and immediately available. Interested candidates should send their application (including motivation letter, CV, brief summary of master thesis, certificates) by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Related publications:
Scheerer, D., Chi, H., McElheny, D., Keiderling, T., Hauser, K. "Enhanced sensitivity to local dynamics in peptides by use of temperature-jump IR-spectroscopy and isotope labeling", Chem Eur J, 2020, 26, 3524-3534
Siu, H., Heck, B., Kovermann, M., Hauser, K. "Template-assisted design of monomeric polyQ models to unravel the unique role of glutamine side chains in disease-related aggregation", Chemical Science 2020, DOI: 10.1039/D0SC05299J
Popp, A., Scheerer, D., Heck, B., Hauser, K. "Biomolecular dynamics studied with IRspectroscopy using quantum cascade lasers combined with nanosecond perturbation techniques", Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2017, 181, 192–199

Further information: www.biophysik.uni-konstanz.de