A call for applications for two PhD positions in the newly established research group of Dr. Sonja Lorenz at the Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Germany is open.
The successful applicants will also be part of the ‘Graduate School of Life Sciences’ in Würzburg – a highly-regarded international graduate program funded by the German Excellence Initiative.
The PhD positions are funded by the Emmy Noether Program of the German Research Foundation (DFG) to explore the molecular mechanisms of ubiquitin signaling. Available projects aim to uncover the catalytic mechanisms, specificities, and regulation of ubiquitination enzymes as well as the crosstalk of ubiquitination with other types of posttranslational modifications in the cell. The lab combines structural biology (X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy) with complementary biophysical, biochemical and cell biological analyses. Depending on individual qualifications and interests, the successful applicants will have the opportunity to gain experience in various aspects of this multidisciplinary approach.
The Lorenz lab has access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in X-ray crystallography, high-field solution NMR spectroscopy, biophysics and an extensive range of modern biochemical, and cell biological equipment. The Rudolf Virchow Center is integrated into a stimulating, collaborative research environment that includes the Biocenter, the Research Center for Infectious Diseases, various institutes of the university hospital, and the Max Planck Research Group for Systems Biology in Würzburg.
Applicants should have a M.Sc./diploma in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology or a related discipline and a strong interest in structure-function studies on proteins. Experience in either protein expression and purification, the characterization of protein interactions in vitro or in cells, enzymology, X-ray crystallography or NMR would be beneficial. Good English language skills are essential; knowledge of German is not required.
The positions will start on 1 April 2014 or later, upon mutual agreement, and are initially available for 3 years. Salary will be according to the collective agreement (German TVL scale). In case of equivalent qualifications, disabled applicants will be preferentially considered.
Applications and informal queries about the positions or ongoing projects should be sent to Sonja Lorenz by email (sonjagiselalorenz@gmail.com). Applications are expected to include a letter of motivation detailing research interests and expertise, a CV, and the contact information for at least two references. Review of applications will start inmediately.
Lab homepage: http://www.rudolf-virchow-zentrum.de/en/research/research-groups/lorenz-group/research.html
Website of the Graduate School of Life Sciences: http://www.graduateschools.uni-wuerzburg.de/life_sciences
