The positions are funded as part of a German research consortium (DFG FOR) that researches the role of glycans in the pathologies of non-enveloped viruses and unites technical expertise in structural biology, virology and cell biology, and synthetic chemistry. Visits to other laboratories within this consortium are a part of its scheme and will be encouraged.

Project:
The project is concerned with the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) for attachment and entry of human oncogenic viruses. GAG-derived oligosaccharides will be produced enzymatically and their interaction with recombinantly produced virus-like particles will be investigated by means of NMR and native as well as H/D exchange MS (in collaboration with Dr. Charlotte Uetrecht, Heinrich-Pette-Institut, Hamburg). Other possible aspect of the project are the intelligent design of GAG-degrading enzymes (starting from bacterial glycosidases) and of sequence-defined glycooligomers that will be synthesized by collaborators and used to approximate the influence of biophysical characteristics of the glycocalyx on virus attachment and entry.

Requirements:
Applicants should hold a Diploma/MSc. in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline. The most important requirement is an interest in the chemical, biological, and biophysical properties of glycans, ideally proven by prior work in the fields of glycobiology or glycochemistry. Prior experience in either NMR or crystallography and complementing techniques like molecular cloning and/or heterologous protein expression and purification would be a plus. Fluency in English is mandatory. Candidates who do not speak German should be ready to acquire a basic knowledge of the language once they have started their work. Applicants should enjoy working in a team and intellectual exchange with researchers with different scientific backgrounds.

Applications:
The position (salary according to TV-L E13, 65 %) is available starting in spring 2016 and initially funded for three years. Please submit your electronic application, comprising a brief CV and any BSc./MSc. certificates to Dr. BÃĪrbel Blaum (baerbel.blaum@uni-tuebingen.de). Please also provide at least one scientific reference such as your Diploma/MSc. thesis advisor plus a short summary of the Diploma/MSc. thesis work. Detailed enquiries about the project (and those concerning the town of Tuebingen) can also be directed to this email address.
Baerbel Blaum
baerbel.blaum@uni-tuebingen.de
Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry (IFIB), University of Tuebingen
Tuebingen

Ansprechpartner: Baerbel Blaum, baerbel.blaum@uni-tuebingen.de