Molecular Biology of Centrosomes and Cilia - PhD Position

Division: Molecular Biology of Centrosomes and Cilia

Position: PhD position (Ref-No. 146/2008)

Description:
One position is available for ambitious PhD students interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the timely and spatial activation of cytokinesis in budding yeast (http://www.dkfz.de/en/celldivision/publications.html).

Successful applicants will be part of the Marie Curie Excellence team “Cytokinesis Control” and will receive training in one or more of the following: cell and molecular biology, yeast genetics, biochemistry, genome-wide technologies, advanced fluorescence and electron microscopy.

The German Cancer Research Center and surrounding Institutes at the University of Heidelberg and EMBL offer an outstanding intellectual environment and state-of-the-art facilities for this research.

Job profile:
The successful applicant should hold a Diploma/Master degree in biological sciences or related areas and have an excellent background in molecular/cellular biology and/or biochemistry.

For further information please contact Dr. Gislene Pereira, phone: +49 6221 42 3443

The position is available as soon as possible and is limited until June 30, 2011.

The German Cancer Research Center is committed to increase the representation of women in science and encourages applications from qualified female scientists. Persons with disabilities will be given preference among equally qualified candidates.

Please your application to the following address:

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Personalabteilung
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
D-69120 Heidelberg

Expires: September 22, 2008

or apply online: http://www.dkfz.de

PhD position in nanotechnology

Applications are invited for a PhD position in the Laboratory of Nanotechnology at the Institute of Microsystem Engineering (IMTEK), Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Germany.

The successful candidate will investigate the controlled growth of ZnO nanowire arrays on large areas, develop and adapt approaches of nanotemplating, and develop novel concepts of nanodoping. Atomic layer deposition can be used to control and change the surface properties of the wires. The research will involve basic material research as well as applied research and will contribute to the development of doping concepts based on self limiting chemical surface reactions resulting in doped monolayer.

The University of Freiburg is one of the nine “excellence” Universities in Germany. The IMTEK at Freiburg has a thriving research community that provides excellent opportunities for career development. The Laboratory of Nanotechnology is newly established and offers top level research activities in fields like nanocrystals, nanowires, and ALD; for more information see: http://www.imtek.de/nanotechnologie/index_en.php
Candidates should have a Diploma/Master in Physics/Solid State Physics, or Chemistry and experience in at least one of the following fields: condensed matter physics, nanostructure or MOCVD growth, high resolution electron microscopy, or self limiting surface reactions based on chemical monolayers.

Applications and informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. M. Zacharias, Email: zacharias@imtek.de. Applications should include a covering letter, detailed CV, list of publications and the names and contact details of two referees.

This position is available immediately and will be offered to the successful candidate on a contract based on E13/2.

Expires: September 23, 2008

Division of Viral Transformation Mechanisms - PhD position

Position: PhD position (Ref-No. 144/2008)

Description:
A hallmark of many tumours is their high glycolytic rate, strongly supporting Warburg’s dictum of a relationship between a glycolytic shift and malignant progression. This has a quite obvious selective advantage. Cells which shift to anaerobic glycolysis not only survive a hypoxic microenvironment, but are also resistant to acid-induced toxicity, caused by secretion of lactic acid during incomplete glucose metabolism. Since Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-positive cells also depend on glycolysis for energy production, they are much stronger dependent on that pathway than normal cells. A glycolytic phenotype, which guarantees constant energy supply even when oxygen levels decreased, is apparently also an essential prerequisite to maintain transcriptional activity of the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7. In fact, this relationship seems to be an evolutionary well-designed circuit between sustained HPV transcription and oncoprotein functionality, since E7 itself is capable to reprogram the metabolism of its host cell. Accordingly, for a beneficial virus-host interaction it is reasonable that viral transcription, which continuously requires a high metabolic state for keeping up cell proliferation, is down-regulated by a negative feedback loop when the host cell is sensing low energy conditions. The general aim of this recently initiated project is to analyze the influence of nutrient depletion and metabolic stress on HPV-transcription and proliferation of cervical carcinoma versus non-malignant HPV-positive cells.

Reference: Nafz, J., De-Castro Arce, J., Fleig, V., Patzelt, A., Mazurek, S. and Rösl, F. (2007). Interference with energy metabolism by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-?-D-ribofuranoside induces HPV suppression in cervical carcinoma cells and apoptosis in the absence of LKB1. Biochemical Journal, 403: 501-510.

Job profile:

The highly motivated applicant should have a strong background in cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry. Solid expertise in metabolic regulation and cell cycle control is required.
Applications should include a CV, publication(s), and addresses of two references.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Frank Rösl, phone +49 6221 42 4900.

The German Cancer Research Center is committed to increase the representation of women in science and encourages applications from qualified female scientists. Persons with disabilities will be given preference among equally qualified candidates.

Please your application to the following address:

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
Personalabteilung
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
D-69120 Heidelberg

September 18, 2008

or apply online: http://www.dkfz.de

PhD/ Postdoctoral– Position on recombinant proteins/ Influenza virus

The Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and the Otto-von Guericke University invites applications for 2 PhD/ Postdoctoral positions in downstream processing of biologicals.

The project will be co-funded by the German Federal Ministery of Science (BMBF) and the pharmaceutical industry.

One position focuses on the development of an affinity chromatography for the purification of pharmaceutically relevant recombinat proteins. In the study, chip based binding studies via Biacore, ELISA and classical downstream methods as well as membrane adsorber techniques will be applied to optimize the purification process of cell culture derived recombinant glycoproteins.

The other position aims at the development of an SMB purification process for cell-culture derived Influenza viruses and viral glycoproteins.

We offer an excellent multidisciplinary team-oriented research environment and opportunities. The projects will be executed in a close cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry.
We are looking for three post-doctoral scientists or PhD students with a degree in Biotechnology or Engineering, keen to apply cutting edge research and technology to start the dissolving of current bottle necks in downstream processes. The positions are intended to start October 2008 and are for a period of 3 years.
Excellent communication skills in English are required. Experiences in chromatography as well as an interest in mathematical modeling are advantages.

Women are explicitly encouraged to apply for the described positions. Disabled people will be favored in the case of identical competence and performance. Please mention that you accept the involvement of the equal-opportunity representative in the selection procedure.

For more information please refer to Dr. Michael Wolff (Tel.: + 49 391 6 11 02 31). If interested please email a short application including CV, certificates and three references to mwolff@mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de.

Expires: September 25, 2008

The Interdisciplinary Research Centre „Tumor and Inflammation”

Philipps Universität Marburg

At the Philipps-Universität Marburg

The Interdisciplinary Research Centre „Tumor and Inflammation”

was recently established as part of an excellence program (LOEWE) of the state government. The new Research Centre will bring together the internationally renowned local research groups working in the areas of molecular tumor biology and immune regulation. Research projects will be centred on tumor-host interactions that support tumor growth and progression with a focus on transcriptional signalling pathways.

A main goal of the Research Centre is the establishment of a postgraduate education program in October 2008. The structured program includes the teaching of theoretical, applied and technological know-how in the research area of the centre. As part of this program we invite applications for the following positions

16 positions for graduate students

Applicants should hold a M.Sc. degree or equivalent and should have practical experience in the area of the Research Centre.

The following institutions and supervisors are members of the Research Centre: Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (Bauer, Brehm, Müller, Suske); Developmental Biology (Renkawitz-Pohl); Genetics, JLU Ciessen (Renkawitz); Hematology/Ocology (Neubauer, Stiewe, Burchert); Castroenterology (Gress, Buchholz, Ellenrieder, Michl); Med. Microbiology (Lohoff); Immunology (Bauer); Pneumology (Bals); Dermatology (Hertl); Clinical Chemistry (Renz, Nockher).

Philipps-Universität is an equal opportunities employer, and applications from women are encouraged. Applications from candidates with children are welcome – the Philipps-Universität is dedicated to being a family-friendly university. Qualified disabled people are also encouraged to apply.

Applications should be sent as a single pdf file to tumor-inflammation@staff.uni-marburg.de by August 31, 2008, and should include at least two references. Head of the Research Centre is Prof. Dr. Rolf Müller, Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Marburg, Germany.

Expires: August 31, 2008

PhD Positions in Ageing, Bioinformatics, and Plant Biology

PhD positions are available to study at Massey University in New Zealand in the fields of ageing, bioinformatics, and plant biology.

Stipend is NZ$25,000 per annum (tax-free) plus University enrolment fees.

Biology and Evolution of Ribosomal DNA

• The ribosomal DNA is a fundamental player in cell biology, and has been implicated in cancer and ageing. It also shows unusual evolutionary patterns.
  The project involves the use of advanced molecular biology techniques and computer-based sequence analyses to explore the biology and evolution of the rDNA.
  More information can be found at: http://imbs.massey.ac.nz/nature/ribo_scholarship.htm
  Applicants should have a background in genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, or related subjects.

Ageing in Plants

• Natural or harvest-induced senescence is a major determinant of crop losses. Senescence strictly depends on ageing and your project will be aimed at uncovering the mechanism of plant ageing. You will use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the most modern ‘omics’ techniques, and will be encouraged to continue collaborations with top international labs.
  More information can be found at: http://imbs.massey.ac.nz/nature/sen_scholarship.htm
  Applicants should have a background in genetics, molecular biology, plant biology, bioinformatics, or related subjects.

Camellia Flower Blight

• The most important disease affecting the popular ornamental, Camellia, is Camellia flower blight, which causes premature browning and fall of infected flowers.
  Your project is aimed at identifying resistance responses, and molecular markers for resistance, using the newest parallel sequencing methods. The research team combines internationally-recognised expertise in molecular and classical plant pathology, plant physiology and bioinformatics.

More information can be found at: http://imbs.massey.ac.nz/nature/camellia_scholarship.htm
Applicants should have a background in bioinformatics or plant biology, with a genuine interest in bioinformatics.

Requests for further information about research projects or about the Massey University PhD program should be directed to:

• Dr. Paul Dijkwel P.Dijkwel@massey.ac.nz
• Dr. Austen Ganley A.R.Ganley@massey.ac.nz

Applications should be e-mailed to one of these addresses, and should include a full CV, a cover letter outlining your interests in relation to this research, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. The process of reviewing applications will begin in late August 2008.

Call for research proposal in lowe Syndrome

CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL IN LOWE SYNDROME

You are invited to apply for a Lowe PhD Studentship from the Lowe Syndrome Trust.

The genetic basis of Lowe Syndrome is a defective gene OCRL1 that results in the deficiency of an enzyme Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-5-phosphatase (OCRL1).

Lowe’s oculocerebrorenal syndrome is a disorder affecting the brain, eyes, kidneys and bones.

Funds are available (up to £80,000) for a 3-year PhD studentship to be held at a UK institute of higher education that will cover living expenses, higher degree fees and a contribution to project expenses for research into any aspect of Lowe Syndrome, or area of research relevant to its pathophysiology.

Closing date of application is 30th September 2008.

For further information and Application Form please contact
Lorraine Thomas, Lowe Syndrome Trust
Telephone 0208 458 6791
(lowetrust@homechoice.co.uk) see www.lowetrust.com