Fully funded PhD and Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) | Human Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience of Dynamic Cognition

 

The Breska Lab (Dynamic Cognition Group) at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics invites applications for fully funded PhD (65% TVöD-13) and Postdoc (100% TVöD-13) positions to study human dynamic cognition, with a flexible starting date in December 2021 or later.

The positions

To understand mechanisms of adaptive behavior in dynamic environments, our group investigates temporal cognition and its interaction with different cognitive functions. Research topics include temporal prediction and attention, interval and rhythm timing, temporal learning and memory, oscillatory and non-oscillatory neural mechanisms, cerebellar and striatal contributions to cognition. Lab members will have the opportunity to develop their research agenda within these fields, to train in different methodologies, including psychophysics, human M/EEG, non-invasive brain stimulation and computational modelling, and to uniquely apply these methods in various neurological populations.

Your profile

Candidates should hold a degree (MA/ MSc/ PhD) in psychology, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, or a related discipline, and must be proficient in English. We seek candidates that are interested in psychological processes and their neural basis, and specifically in the lab’s research domains, and strive to develop as rigorous and theoretically-motivated scientists. German language skills, experience in M/EEG methods, experience in neuropsychological research, and scientific programming skills (matlab, python or R) are advantageous but not prerequisites.

We offer

Postdoc positions are for two years with the possibility of extension. PhD positions are for three years with the possibility of extension. PhD students can enroll with the doctoral program of the Graduate Training Centre / International Max Planck Research School (GTC-IMPRS), the Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences or Graduate School of Neural Information Processing.

Successful candidates will join a vibrant neuroscientific research community Tübingen, where they will have the opportunity to participate in local and international collaborations. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality, welcomes applications from all backgrounds, and strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. We foster an engaging and mutually enriching work environment, that is supportive of members’ professional and personal development.

Application

To apply, please send a PDF file containing a brief letter outlining your research interests and why you are interested in these topics, your CV, and the names of two reference persons to:

Dr. Assaf Breska
assaf.breska@tuebingen.mpg.de

More information on the Dynamic Cognition Group.

Applications will be considered until the positions are filled.

Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Senior Technician (f/m/d)

 

The Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research (Bad Nauheim, Germany) invites applications for a Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Senior Technician (f/m/d) Ref.: 2021_19

The position

The successful candidate needs to hold a BSc/MSc or an equivalent degree and will become a team member of the Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics group, conducting research on projects supported by the German Center for Cardio-vascular Research (DZHK).

The Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics group currently uses three QExactive mass spectrometers equipped with nano-UHPLC (EASY-nLC 1200) systems. Applicants should have at least 2 years of practical experience in sample preparation from cells, tissues, and biofluids for proteomics analysis. Specifically, a qualified candidate should have experience performing protein isolation, digestion, TMT tagging, reductive dimethylation, and fractionation by high pH chromatography, as well as operating and maintaining mass spectrometry instruments (ideally Thermo). Additionally, the candidate should have extensive knowledge in processing proteomic data using MaxQuant or similar software packages.

The successful candidate will perform biochemistry and proteomics experiments, participate in daily operations of Orbitrap mass spectrometers, actively contribute to development and adaptation of new protocols and techniques.

Our offer

Payment and social benefits will be in accordance with the regulations of the TVöD.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increase the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds

Your application

Applicants are requested to send their CV, description of their experience as well as the names of two or more referees preferably via our  applicant portal.

The deadline for applications is 14. Nov 2021

Contact

Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research
Human Resources
Parkstr. 1
61231 Bad Nauheim
Germany

Email: jobs@mpi-bn.mpg.de

Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Physics (m/f/d)

 

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics as an institute of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (registered association) is the largest centre for fusion research in Europe with about 1100 employees in Garching near Munich and Greifswald. The scientists are investigating the physical principles for a fusion power plant which - like the sun - generates energy from the fusion of light atomic nuclei. The research is carried out in seven experimental and theoretical projects aimed at developing nuclear fusion into an inexhaustible and safe source of energy for the future.

The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching offers an opportunity to participate in a postdoctorate programme within the division Plasma Edge and Wall (E2M) to perform research activities at the ASDEX Upgrade fusion experiment (AUG). We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Physics (m/f/d).

Your tasks

• Operation and extension of an imaging heavy ion beam probe (i-HIBP) system for measurements of the electrostatic potential and internal magnetic fields at the edge of tokamak plasmas
• Analysis of the acquired data and investigation of structure formation at the plasma edge

Your profile/Our requirements

• PhD in experimental physics or electrical engineering
• Knowledge of high temperature plasma physics with a focus on fusion plasma diagnostics
• Experience and knowledge in the field of transport processes at the edge of high temperature plasmas, ion beam physics or scientific interpretation and analysis of measured data desirable
• Good command of the English language, written and spoken

Your abilities

• Interest to work in a scientific environment
• Willingness to join an international team
• Ability to understand and explain complex scientific or technical systems

We offer

• an interesting job at one of the largest research institutes for fusion research
• flexible working hours
• training and further education opportunities
• company pension scheme
• family service & childcare facilities on the company premises
• further social benefits (e.g. capital-forming benefits, discounted public transport tickets)

The position is limited to a duration of two years. The salary is based on the assignment of tasks and qualifications and goes up to pay group 13 according to the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund). The IPP seeks to increase the proportion of employed women in those areas where they are underrepresented and explicitly encourages women to apply for this position. The IPP is committed to employing more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

For information on data protection and the handling of your personal data please visit our website.

Are you currently interested?

Then we are looking forward to your complete online application until 24.11.2021.

Post-Doctoral Research Associate at The Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics

 

The Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics is one of about 86 research institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V. (MPG). The MPG is an independent, non-profit research organization, which seeks to promote basic research in the service of the general public.

The department of quantum dynamics and control (Prof. Thomas Pfeifer) offers a position as a Post Doctoral Research Associate (m/f/d).

Your field of activity

Developing an upgrade for an existing, novel superconducting radio-frequency ion trap for quantum logic spectroscopy of highly charged ions. We plan to improve the capabilities of our ion trap (Cryogenic Paul Trap Experiment Superconducting, CryPTEx-SC) for holding multiple ground-state cooled ions and setting up a frequency-comb stabilized many-frequency laser interrogation scheme for qubits based on highly charged ions. The CryPTEx team consists of several PhD students and postdocs and is part of the Highly Charged Ion Dynamics group (Crespo lab) at the Pfeifer Division of MPIK. The new experiment is fully funded.

Scope

The successful candidate will adapt our current working design to the new experimental requirements and oversee the manufacturing of the parts in our workshops. In collaboration with other members of the group, the successful candidate will assemble the upgraded superconducting ion trap and participate in the experiments integrating the new trap and the existing one with a largely automatic laser cooling system for quantum logic spectroscopy applications.

The proposed experiments will investigate the stabilization of a many-qubit system in an ultra-low noise trap environment providing long coherence times and strongly suppressed perturbations. Quantum logic spectroscopy of many-qubit ensembles containing highly charged ions, searches for a time variation of fundamental constants and frequency metrology stabilization of lasers are part of the intended experiments.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in physics
• Experience and laboratory skills in cryogenic, ultrahigh-vacuum, laser and radio-frequency methods, as well as in the conception, mechanical design, assembly and commissioning of precision atomic physics experiments
• Some knowledge of finite-element methods for electromagnetic and heat transfer simulations. 

The term of the positions is initially two years. Starting date as soon as possible. Remuneration will be determined on a per-candidate basis. The salary will be paid according to the collective agreement for civil service employees in Germany (TVöD).

The Max Planck Society promotes the employment of disabled persons, strives for diversity and equal opportunities including professional gender equality and excellent reconciliation of family and career. We have set our focus on increasing the proportion of women in areas in which they are underrepresented. The Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics is a family-friendly employer.

Application

Further information can be obtained from:

Prof. Dr. José R. Crespo López-Urrutia
crespojr@mpi-hd.mpg.de                                       

Dr. Elwin Dijck
elwin.dick@mpi-hd.mpg.de

Applications, including a Statement of Interest, CV, publication lists and contact information of referees should be uploaded via our application portal with reference 20-2021. The deadline for applications is 30th November 2021

9 fully funded PhD student positions in the computational & experimental plant sciences

 The International Max Planck Research School on Understanding Complex Plant Traits using Computational and Evolutionary Approaches is a local collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research and the University of Cologne, Germany. International students are closely supervised by an advisory committee, receive training in professional skills and are supported to share their scientific insights. All training is in English.

The research

The mission of our IMPRS is to study fundamental biological processes in plants and to create knowledge and material that can empower innovative plant breeding. More than 30 research groups study regulatory networks controlling fundamental traits such as reproductive development, organ geometry and growth, innate immunity and microbiome effects on plant performance. They apply and develop a broad range of interdisciplinary technologies ranging from genetics and genomics to structural biochemistry, advanced imaging and computational modelling in various plant species. All available projects are detailed at www.mpipz.mpg.de/imprs/proposals where applicants will also find more information about the host groups.

Your profile

You are a highly qualified and motivated student from any nationality and hold, or expect to hold, a Master’s degree in a related subject. You have a proved track record of academic and research excellence and are fluent in written and spoken English.

Our offer

We provide an excellent, international and interdisciplinary research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty. Positions are fully funded for 3 years with possible extension. We are committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and encourage applications from such qualified individuals. Further, we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply.

Your application

• Apply online by December 6th 2021 at gradschool.mpipz.mpg.de
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews on March 21–24th 2022
• Selected applicants will start the PhD between summer and October 1st 2022

Contact

• Dr. Stephan Wagner (IMPRS coordinator) at gradschool@mpipz.mpg.de
• Find more details at www.mpipz.mpg.de/imprs/

Postdoctoral Position | Scientific Computing

 

The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, is an international research institute focused on cell and developmental biology.

We are offering a Postdoctoral Position in Scientific Computing in the Sbalzarini lab at the Center for Systems Biology Dresden.

The Sbalzarini lab does pioneering research in computer science to predict the organization and function of living systems from their physical description. This includes numerical simulations in space and time, data-driven model inference, as well as high-performance computing. We are an international group of scientists with diverse backgrounds from computer science, mathematics, physics, and engineering. We share a fascination with how living tissues and organs develop and self-organize from the material properties and molecular regulation of active soft condensed matter.

Your qualifications

PhD in computer science, applied mathematics, computational physics, or a related discipline.
If you love…

• numerically solving nonlinear PDE models in complex and deforming geometries
• geometric computing and discretization of deformable curved surfaces
• parallel and high-performance computing approaches to living systems
• closely interacting with cutting-edge biology and thinking out of the box

 …then join our interdisciplinary computational science community in Dresden!

Our offer

The postdoc position is available immediately for a period of 3 years. Salary and social benefits will be in accordance with the regulations of the German TVöD Bund (salary agreement for Federal public service employees) on level E13. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Ivo Sbalzarini (sbalzarini@mpi-cbg.de).

The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Please submit your complete application and CV including a full publication list, a cover letter stating your motivation to apply for this position, a brief description of your research interests and accomplishments together with contact details of at least two referees as a single PDF file by November 30, 2021 stating Code 2021-PostDoc-Simulation-2270 via our online application system.

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Pfotenhauerstr. 108
01307 Dresden
Germany

Scientific assistant (m/f/d) (master's student)

 

What if robotic systems could interact with the world with the same dexterity as humans do? Haptic sensing technologies enable robots to sense and react to their environment through physical contact, which can complement visual and spatial information to produce complex behaviors. Led by Christoph Keplinger, the MPI-IS Robotic Materials Department aims to investigate innovative soft sensing technologies for robotic manipulation tasks.

Your profile

We are looking for talented students who are pursuing a Master of Science in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, mechatronics, engineering cybernetics, electrical engineering or related fields to support our research as student assistants.

Role: Scientific assistant (master's student) (m/f/d)

Volume of employment: Max. 83 hours per month

Starting date: As soon as possible

Applicants should

• be highly motivation,
• be pursuing a master’s degree,
• be currently enrolled in a German university,
• have strong academic performance in relevant bachelor’s and master’s courses,
• want to work in an international and interdisciplinary research group,
• have good oral and written communication skills in English,
• be able to work on site at the Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Germany,
• we are especially interested in applicants who have:
  • Experience in CAD and rapid prototyping techniques,
  • Interest and/or experience in soft robotics and soft functional materials,
  • fabrication of soft materials (elastomers),
  • assembly of basic electronic circuits. 

Your tasks

The student assistant position is paid hourly and will allow the student to gain hands-on experience with hardware systems, as well as to be exposed to ongoing robotics research. The position and tasks are subject to discussion with the interested candidates. Selected candidates can start working as soon as they are hired.

Possible tasks include:

• design and 3D printing of molds,
• fabrication of soft capacitor sensors.

We offer

A modernly equipped workplace, a strongly international working environment, as well as the affiliation to a daycare center for young children.  Employment is compensated on an hourly basis for Master's students at €12.68.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

How to apply:

Please upload your application online including a resumé in English or German and a cover letter in English.

For further questions please contact Dr. Philipp Rothemund: rothemund@is.mpg.de

Closing date for applications is November 26, 2021

PhD Student (f/m/d) | Membrane Protein Biogenesis

 

The newly founded Research Group of “Membrane Protein Biogenesis at the Endoplasmic Reticulum” led by Melanie McDowell at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics invites applications for the position PhD Student (f/m/d) to investigate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeting and insertion pathways of eukaryotic membrane proteins using a combination of structural, biophysical and biochemical methods. The successful candidate will purify protein samples for cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography and study protein-protein interactions using biophysical methods, and perform functional assays with reconstituted proteoliposomes. The candidate will join an enthusiastic, collaborative and multi-disciplinary team of biophysicists and biochemists ready to tackle exciting problems of immediate relevance to textbook biology.

Qualification profile

We are searching for

• A highly motivated experimentalist with a Masters (or equivalent) degree in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics or a related field within the life sciences.
• A clear interest in structural biology and membrane protein biochemistry.
• Practical experience in either structural biology or biochemistry.
• A creative and hardworking individual that is able to work both independently and as part of an international team.
• Proficiency in English (both spoken and written).

We offer

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics is an internationally leading research institution in the fields of structural biology, biophysics and cell biology located at the center of the Frankfurt-Riedberg science campus. We are offering excellent working conditions, state-of-the-art infrastructure and an international research environment. The salary is in accordance to the Public Sector Collective Agreement Bund (TVöD, E13/65%).

The position is available from February 2022 onwards and is initially limited but may extended or tenured depending success.

How to apply

Please apply via our website and upload a cover letter (one page maximum explaining background and motivation), CV and the contact details of at least two references until 31.12.2021. Please address any questions to melanie.mcdowell@biophys.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We are also committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in our workforce. Therefore, applicants of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.

Address

Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Melanie McDowell
Max-von-Laue-Straße 3
60438 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

PhD positions | Gravity & Matter at the Extreme | Gravitational Physics

 

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Potsdam, Germany, announces the opening of several PhD positions in “Gravity & Matter at the Extreme”. We are particularly interested in hiring creative, proactive and intellectually ambitious candidates who flourish at working in a vibrant,  interdisciplinary and synergistic group.

Successful candidates will join the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Gravitational-Wave Astronomy at the AEI, comprised of the “Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity” (ACR) and “Computational Relativistic Astrophysics” (CRA) divisions at the AEI in Potsdam, the University of Potsdam and the Humboldt University in Berlin. Our graduate students are exposed to a variety of research topics and have access to a world-wide research network, including international partner universities (University of Maryland and the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics at Kyoto University), the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and the LISA Consortium. Students may also participate in building the science case for third generation ground-based detectors, such as the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer. For a detailed overview of the IMPRS, its research groups, and the application procedure, please visit the IMPRS website.

The two research divisions (ACR and CRA) at the AEI in Potsdam operate three high-performance compute clusters to model gravitational-wave sources (binary black holes, neutron star binaries, and stellar collapse of massive stars), electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, high-energy astrophysical phenomena, and to carry out data-analysis of gravitational waves as part of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.

Research topics and research environment

Ph.D. theses can cover a broad spectrum of topics in gravitational-wave astronomy, high-energy astrophysics and fundamental physics, such as:

• analytical modelling of gravitational dynamics and radiation (within post-Newtonian theory, post-Minkowskian theory, gravitational self-force, black-hole perturbation theory, and effective-one-body theory),
• numerical-relativity, most notably simulations of compact objects in general relativity and alternatives,
• interpretation and analysis of data from gravitational-wave detectors on the ground (LIGO and Virgo) and in space (LISA),
• acceleration techniques for gravitational-wave inference, including machine learning,
• cosmography with gravitational waves (including dark energy, dark matter, gravitational lensing),
• tests of gravity in the strong-field and highly dynamical regime
• modelling neutron star mergers as high-energy phenomena,
• modelling electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves,
• exploring neutron-star equation of state,
• exploring nucleosynthesis,
• stellar collapse to a black hole and a neutron star, and
• modelling gamma-ray bursts.

PhD students will have the opportunity to join the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the LISA Consortium through the ACR-division’s membership, and also participate to building the science case for third generation (3G) ground-based detectors (Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer).  

Successful applicants will conduct their research projects at the AEI in Potsdam, and they will have to enroll and receive their Ph.D. degree from either the University of Potsdam or the Humboldt University in Berlin. The expected duration of the PhD program is three to four years. Applicants are required to have a Master degree by the start of the PhD program.

The science campus in Potsdam offers a stimulating research environment with three Max-Planck Institutes and two Fraunhofer Institutes. The city of Potsdam is home to over 40 research institutes, and is located just 30 minutes from the city center of Berlin.

Application process

In order to apply, please fill in this online form.

You will be asked to upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, university transcripts, a statement of research interests, a list of publications (if applicable), and your Master thesis (if applicable). The statement of research interests should describe the student’s past research experience, future research interests and how they relate to the IMPRS’s scientific mission.

Applicants also need to indicate the names of three referees for recommendation letters. Referees will be notified by email on how to upload the letters. More information on the preparation of the documents can be found on the IMPRS website  and the IMPRS’ FAQ section.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for full consideration is January 7th, 2022.

Equal Opportunities:

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. The AEI and the Max Planck Society welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. The Max Planck Society´s code of conduct.

Postdoctoral Position | Chemical synthesis of small-molecule fluorescent probes for optical nanoscopy

 

At the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, one of the 86 institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, physicists, chemists and biologists create knowledge of long-term relevance to life and basic medical sciences. Currently, our around 270 employees are divided into four departments and one Max Planck Research Group. In addition, the institute is part of the Heidelberg Mannheim Health & Life Science Alliance - an association of the leading life science research institutions in the region.

The Department of Optical Nanoscopy (Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell) at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, invites applications for a postdoctoral position dedicated to the development of fluorescent probes for far-field optical imaging beyond the diffraction resolution limit of light. This breakthrough accomplishment earned Stefan W. Hell a Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2014). The project aims at developing appropriate synthetic methodologies and the preparation of novel fluorophores and small-molecule fluorescent probes suitable for imaging in living cells and tissues using the latest nanoscopy approaches such as STED and MINFLUX. The evaluation of the probes will be performed in close collaboration with the physicists and biologists from the Department of Optical Nanoscopy at the MPI for Medical Research.

Your profile

Candidates should have an excellent track record, high motivation, broad scientific interests and will join a multidisciplinary and international team. They should hold a doctoral degree with focus in synthetic organic chemistry and enjoy working in the lab. Practical experience with metal complex catalysis, enzyme kinetics, photochemistry, electrochemistry or computational chemistry is desirable.

Our offer

The working language of the project will be English. We offer excellent laboratory facilities tailored to the needs of the project. Payment is based on the TVöD guidelines. The position is limited to two years with a possibility of extension.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

A daycare center for children is located near the institute.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell hell-office@mpibpc.mpg.de.

For general questions, please contact Ms. Sabrina Giacalone sabrina.giacalone@mr.mpg.de from human resources.

Your application

Please submit your application, including a cover letter (explaining background and motivation), your CV and complete transcripts via e-mail as a single PDF file with the above reference 14/2021 preferably until November 30, 2021 (excellent applications will be considered year-round) to jobs@vw.mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de.

Max Planck Institute for Medical Research
c/o Human Resources
PostBox 10 38 20
69028 Heidelberg
Germany

Two PhD positions | Optical and Molecular Physics | Development of MINFLUX and MINSTED fluorescence nanoscopy

 

At the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, one of the 86 institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, physicists, chemists and biologists create knowledge of long-term relevance to life and basic medical sciences. Currently, our around 270 employees are divided into four departments and one Max Planck Research Group. In addition, the institute is part of the Heidelberg Mannheim Health & Life Science Alliance - an association of the leading life science research institutions in the region.

The Department of Optical Nanoscopy (Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell) invites applications for two Ph.D. positions in Optical and Molecular Physics.

New concepts have brought about a paradigm shift in the physical limits to optical analysis of molecular systems. Imaging resolutions of a few nanometers have been demonstrated, well beyond the Abbe/Rayleigh limits. The recently demonstrated MINFLUX (Balzarotti et al., Science, 2017) and MINSTED (Weber et al., Nat. Photonics, 2021) concepts outline a path to further improved minimally invasive, low-light-level analysis in principle down to Ångström length scales. This opens up entirely new experimental opportunities in the study of macromolecules and beyond.

Your task

The successful candidates will develop physical measurement schemes based on MINFLUX, MINSTED and related concepts to analyze molecular systems at the highest resolution.

Your profile

Candidates should be highly motivated and prepared to work within a truly multidisciplinary team. They should have (or expect to complete soon) a Master’s degree in (bio) physics or (bio)physical chemistry or a comparable qualification. A willingness to master challenges in optical design, computer-driven experimental control and data analysis and, crucially, in-depth study of a problem by critical thinking and dedicated physical simulation are all central to success.

Our offer

The payment is based on the TVöD guidelines (75% of EG 13). The PhD positions are limited to three years with a possibility of extension. Candidates have the opportunity to participate in one of several Ph.D. programs in Heidelberg. Opportunities may also arise from becoming part of a newly established Max Planck School with a competitive admission process.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

A daycare center for children is located near the institute.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell hell-office@mpibpc.mpg.de.

For general questions, please contact Ms. Sabrina Giacalone sabrina.giacalone@mr.mpg.de from human resources.

Your application

Please submit your application, including a cover letter (explaining background and motivation), your CV and complete transcripts via e-mail as a single PDF file with the above reference code number 15/2021 preferably until November 30, 2021 (excellent applications will be considered year-round) to jobs@vw.mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de.

Max Planck Institute for Medical Research
c/o Human Resources
Post Box 10 38 20
69028 Heidelberg
Germany

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) | Membrane Protein Biogenesis

 

Job Code: 2021/10/29/en

Job Offer from October 29, 2021

The newly founded Research Group of “Membrane Protein Biogenesis at the Endoplasmic Reticulum” led by Melanie McDowell at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics invites applications for the position Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) to investigate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeting and insertion pathways of eukaryotic membrane proteins using a combination of in vivo and in vitro biochemical and structural methods. The successful candidate will genetically manipulate pathway components in model organisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Chaetomium thermophilum, insect or human cell lines), perform in vivo functional assays and analyse native complexes by cryo-electron microscopy and/or tomography. The candidate will join an enthusiastic, collaborative and multi-disciplinary team of biophysicists and biochemists ready to tackle exciting problems of immediate relevance to textbook biology.

Qualification profile

We are searching for

• An outstanding experimentalist with a PhD degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics or a related field within the life sciences.
• Experience with molecular biology, in vivo functional assays and/or membrane protein biochemistry.
• Experience in cryo-EM or cryo-ET is a plus.
• A strong interest in the field of membrane protein biogenesis.
• A creative and hardworking individual that is able to work both independently and as part of an international team.
• Proficiency in English (both spoken and written).

We offer

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics is an internationally leading research institution in the fields of structural biology, biophysics and cell biology located at the center of the Frankfurt-Riedberg science campus. We are offering excellent working conditions, state-of-the-art infrastructure and an international research environment. The salary is in accordance to the Public Sector Collective Agreement Bund (TVöD, E14). The position is available from February 2022 onwards and is initially limited but may extended or tenured depending success.

How to apply

Please apply via our website and upload a cover letter (one page maximum explaining background and motivation), CV and the contact details of at least two references until December 31, 2021. Please address any questions to melanie.mcdowell@biophys.mpg.de

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We are also committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in our workforce. Therefore, applicants of all back-grounds and identities are welcome.

Address

Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Melanie McDowell
Max-von-Laue-Straße 3
60438 Frankfurt am Main
Germany