2 Postdoc Positions for Electrical and Optical Analysis of Nanopores for Protein Sequencing Using Single-Molecule Tools (m/f/d)

The Institute of Physiology of the University of Freiburg has two openings in Biophysics

2 Postdoc Positions for Electrical and Optical Analysis of Nanopores for Protein Sequencing Using Single-Molecule Tools (m/f/d)

Biological and solid state nanopores play an increasing role in molecular diagnostics. The goal of this project is to establish their use for the identification of peptides and their post-translational modifications that are found in a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and infectious diseases. Simultaneous observation of the electrical current through a single nanopore, and the optical signal from a dye molecule inside the pore will provide characteristic information of the peptide bound in the pore. 

As a part of the collaborative research cluster "nEOdiag" funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (https://www.carl-zeiss-stiftung.de/themen-projekte/uebersicht-projekte/detail/nanoporen-basierte-elektrisch-optische-proteindiagnostik-neodiag), the University of Freiburg (https://www.uni-freiburg.de) offers two postdoc positions (E13 TV-L) in a fixed-term contract for two years to work on the project "Development of marker-free electrical-optical sensing based on biological nanopores".

The responsibilities of the successful applicants (m/f/d) will include:

• Design and construction of a combined electrophysiology/microscopy setup
• Wet lab work for fabrication of nanopores in lipid bilayers
• Molecular biology and biochemistry to generate chimeric and mutant pore proteins
• Experiments and data analysis
• Comprehensive presentation of results in group meetings and at conferences
• Preparation of manuscripts

What we are looking for:

• Talented and highly motivated candidates (m/f/d) with a PhD in physics, chemistry, biophysics or equivalent skills
• Strong interest in microscopy, electrophysiology, instrument design and nanopore physics
• Experience in electrophysiology and/or microscopy
• Background in programming, molecular biology, and biochemistry
• Ability to work independently and in a team

Applications should include:

• Curriculum vitae with your name, address, degree(s) with transcript(s) of grades, research experience, educational and employment history; please include any awards, distinctions and publications
• Motivation letter
• Name and e-mail address of two academic references

The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. The positions are initially limited for two years with a renewal option.

Questions? Please contact:

Prof. Jan Behrends, Institute of Physiology
jan.behrends@physiologie.uni-freiburg.de
Dr. Maximilian Ulbrich, BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies
max.ulbrich@bioss.uni-freiburg.de