Position available for a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate in the laboratory of Dr. Sonja Lorenz at the Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg.
The position is funded by the Emmy Noether Program of the German Research Foundation (DFG) to explore the molecular mechanisms of ubiquitin signaling. The successful applicant will undertake structural and functional studies on select members of the E2 and E3 families of ubiquitination enzymes using NMR and/or X-ray crystallography along with complementary biophysical and biochemical tools. Several ambitious projects are available and can be tailored to individual interests and expertise.
Research in the Lorenz lab is directed at understanding the structural basis of ubiquitination reactions and the crosstalk of ubiquitination with other types of posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation, in the cell – a largely underexplored area of high therapeutic potential. The lab follows a multidisciplinary approach by combining structural biology techniques with biophysical, biochemical and cell biological analyses.
The Lorenz lab has access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in X-ray crystallography and high-field solution NMR spectroscopy. Research facilities further include an extensive range of modern biophysical, 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 possess/be expected to obtain a PhD in the life sciences and should have a strong background in either X-ray crystallography or NMR. Experience in protein expression and purification and biophysical techniques to characterize protein interactions, such as ITC or fluorimetry, is desirable. Good English language skills are essential; knowledge of German is not required.
The position will start on 1 April 2014 or later, upon mutual agreement, and is initially available for 3 years. Salary is based on the German TVL scale. In case of equivalent qualifications, disabled applicants will be preferentially considered.
Applications and informal queries about the lab 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. Reviews of applications will start inmediately.
Lab homepage: http://www.rudolf-virchow-zentrum.de/en/research/research-groups/lorenz-group/research.html
