Research Associate / Early Stage Research

At TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), the Chair of BioNano-Tools offers for the EU-funded MSC-ITN project on the topic “Cooperative effects in biomolecular transport systems based on coupled motors” a position as

Research Associate / Early Stage Research  

starting 1^st of September, 2020 for 36 months. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG).

The project is funded by the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA CURIE Innovative Training Network (ITN) Artificial Molecular Machines (ArtMoMa) within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/224720]. ITN ArtMoMa, a consortium of 20 partners composed of high profile universities, research institutions and companies located in 8 European countries, will train 15 ESRs (doctoral students) in a highly innovative and interdisciplinary scientific network. Scientifically, ITN ArtMoMa will explore ways in which controlled mechanical movements of molecules can be orchestrated and used in nanoscale systems. It will extend scientific boundaries and explore entirely new directions of fundamental research towards technologically relevant implementations, for example in the fields of medical treatment, material design, and energy conversion.

The particular project (ESR n°9) carried out in the research group of Prof. Stefan Diez at B CUBE (http://www.tu-dresden.de/bcube/diez, please feel welcome to contact stefan.diez@tu-dresden.de for further information), will explore cooperative effects in biomolecular transport systems. In particular, it is envisoned to study in vitro the velocity and force output of microtubule-based transport systems where several motors collectively transport a cargo. It will be of interest to study the influence of the motor coupling (soft vs. rigid) and the influence of the microtubule surface (roadblocks and post-translational modifications).

Tasks: biochemical preparation of motors proteins; setup of in vitro motility assays (in stepping and gliding geometry); development of strategies to mechanically couple molecular motors; dynamic acquisition of motor-driven cargo movement by high-resolution fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers; quantitative image processing, data analysis and modeling.

Requirements: university degree (MSc degree or equivalent) in (bio)physics, (bio)chemistry or (bio)nanoengineering. Applicants should be ambitious, curious, creative, energetic and bright minds with a strong eagerness to take part in the research and training activities of this project and have excellent English skills. Candidates will be integrated in an international multi-disciplinary team and shall therefore have excellent personal skills and be able to work in a team. Applicants may be of any nationality. At the date of recruitment, the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment. Applicants must, at the date of recruitment, have NOT yet been awarded the doctoral degree and have to be in the first 4 years (full time equivalent) of their research career.

The position will be located in Dresden, Germany. Secondments to international partner groups are envisioned. The ESR will receive a salary according to MCSA regulation, including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if eligible). Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same applies to people with disabilities.

Please submit your complete application with a motivation letter, CV, publication list, two reference letters and must be received by 29^th of May 2020 (stamped arrival date applies) to TU Dresden, B CUBE, Professur für BioNano-Werkzeuge, Herrn Prof. Stefan Diez, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany or via the TU Dresden SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf document to stefan.diez@tu-dresden.de. Please submit copies only, as your application documents will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed,

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