Open Positions
PhD Positions in CRC 1279
CRC project 1279 The exploration of the human peptidome
The group of Prof. Dr. Barbara Spellerberg at the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm works on antimicrobial peptides within the CRC project 1279 (https://www.uni-ulm.de/med/sfb-1279-home/). As part of this collaborative project that is conducted together with the group of Prof. Dr. Jan Münch from the Institute of Molecular Virology, we offer a PhD position (starting at the 1st of July 2022) to functionally characterize antimicrobial peptides in regard to their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties.
Project background
Our project in the CRC 1279 aims at discovering endogenous human peptides displaying antimicrobial functions and at optimizing antimicrobial peptides for potential therapeutic applications. The source for these peptides are peptide libraries generated from body fluids and samples of human organ tissue. To isolate novel bioactive peptides we are utilizing the comprehensive peptide libraries for the stepwise purification of endogenous compounds detected in specific fractions by repeated rounds of functional assays and separation. This approach allows to isolate antimicrobial peptides from mixtures of up to millions of naturally-occurring compounds. It has proven highly successful and allowed the discovery of novel agents displaying antimicrobial activity. For recent publications generated within the first funding period of the CRC see
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21505594.2020.1831367
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00508/full
Tasks and responsibilities
- Design and realization of project parts, including antimicrobial, antibiofilm testing, and functional characterization of peptides
- Communication of project progress in national and international conferences
- Laboratory supervision of student theses
Your profile
- Master degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine or related disciplines
- Fundamental interest in infection biology
- Experience in microbiology, bioinformatics, genetic manipulation, protein biochemistry or peptidomics are an advantage but not mandator
What we offer
- Highly collaborative working group
- Participation in the International Graduate School in Molecular medicine is actively supported
- Salary: According to German pay grade TV-L EG 13/65%
- Duration: 3 years with the possibility for an extension
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter till 20.05.2022 to Prof. Dr. Barbara Spellerberg (barbara.spellerberg@uniklinik-ulm.de) Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11 in 89081 Ulm
Early career development in the SFB 1279
PhD Program
International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine UlmEarly career support for young scientists and funding programms
Bausteinprogramm
With this individual grants programme (Bausteinprogramm), the Medical Facultyawards start-up funding in a competitive procedure for 10-15 research projects per year (funding: max. 40,000€/year) over a maximum of 3 years.