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Research Assistant (m/f/d)

Employer
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Location
35390, Gießen (DE)
Salary
payment group E13
Closing date
Oct 8, 2021

View more

Discipline
Life Sciences, Immunology, Virology
Organization Type
All Industry, Pharma

The Rudolf Buchheim Institute of Pharmacology (Prof. Dr. Michael Kracht), Faculty of Medicine, invites applications for a part-time position to the extent of 65 % full-time equivalent in the scope of the DFG-funded project "Regulation of RNA metabolism, translation and protein degradation pathways in the host response to coronavirus infection" starting on next possible time until 31.12.2024 for a

Research Assistant (m/f/d)

to be filled. The project is part of the SFB1021 "RNA viruses: RNA metabolism, host response and pathogenesis" approved by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in 2021. The salary of the position is determined by payment group E 13 according to the collective labor agreement of the State of Hesse (TV-H). The position is intended for a PhD within the framework of the Giessen Graduate Schools.

Tasks: Coronaviruses (CoV) are among the largest known RNA viruses. The molecular mechanisms by which human CoV reprogram the host cell response and thus cause cellular CoV pathology are still incompletely understood. Furthermore, new concepts for intracellular inhibition of virus replication are needed. Based on extensive in-house results from multi-level molecular analyses, this project aims to identify (i) the chromatin-based functions of CoV activated transcription factors, (ii) the role of ER stress activators or inhibitors in selective CoV-regulated translation, (iii) the entirety of the replication-relevant host cell factors, and (iv) the molecular basis of the antiviral effects of the compound thapsigargin. The goal is to decipher therapeutically accessible nodes of intracellular signal transduction of adapted (HCoV-229E) versus highly pathogenic CoV (MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2). These aspects will be addressed using state-of-the-art methods established in our laboratory such as proteomic analyses to characterize the nascent proteome, genome-wide sgRNA screens, CRISPR-CAS9-based genome editing, and auxin-dependent degron systems. Another focus will be on single cell analyses such as in situ proximity ligation assays (PLA) to measure protein:protein interactions and RNA-FISH to detect single mRNA molecules in virus-infected cells.

Important findings and details can be found in our published work in PLoS Pathogens (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006286), Molecular Cell (10.1016/j.molcel.2016.05.017), EMBO Journal (doi:10.15252/ embj.2019101533), and bioRxiv (doi: 10.1101/2020.08.26.266304, in press at Nature Communication). The project is embedded in a highly active as well as experienced research group and therefore involves multiple interactions, collaborations with virology research groups and the acquisition of an extensive repertoire of scientific methods and approaches.

Requirements profile:

  • You have a university degree in medicine, biochemistry, biology or a related subject
  • A special interest in virus research, cell biology, molecular imaging and molecular biology is desirable
  • We are looking for an exceptionally dedicated and motivated individual who enjoys integrating into a life science research team while also being willing to develop an independent scientific profile

Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (JLU) aims for a higher proportion of women; therefore, we urge qualified women to apply. JLU is regarded as a family-friendly university. Applicants with children are very welcome.  Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

You want to break new ground with us?

Apply via our online form by October 5th, 2021 indicating reference number 455/11. We look forward to receiving your application.

Would you like to learn more about jobs & careers at JLU? Convince yourself of our benefits at www.uni-giessen.de/karriere.

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