Postdoc Position, Tübingen, Germany
Biochemistry and genetic variation of Pattern Recognition Receptors
The topic
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) constitute one of the most exciting and promising new areas of immunological research due to their pivotal role as pattern recognition receptors (PRR) of the innate immune system. PRRs are the key sensors of microbial and endogenous danger signals and are able to initiate immediate innate immune responses and shape adaptive immunity. Dysregulation or dysfunction of PRR recognition has thus been implicated in infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The available data warrants investigating PRRs as novel therapeutic targets. However, their safe and efficient therapeutic exploitation will require a more thorough understanding of the principles of PRR signal transduction, especially ligand-receptor and post-receptor signaling complexes, and as well as genetic variation affecting PRR signaling components. By combining 3D structural information and biochemical, cell biological, immunological and epidemiological approaches, our lab i!
s investigating the molecular principles of pattern recognition and intracellular signaling from a novel angle. To complement our team we are seeking to recruit additional excellent and enthusiastic researchers, including one Postdoc.
Suggested reading: 1. Beutler, B., Hoebe K. (2006) Annu Rev Immunol 24, 353-89. | 2. George J, Motshwene PG, ... , Weber AN. J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 21. | 3. Gay, N. J., Gangloff, M. & Weber, A. N. (2006) Nat Rev Immunol 6, 693-8. | 4. Kubarenko AV, ..., Weber AN. J Biol Chem. 2010 Nov 19;285(47):36486-94. | 5. George J, Kubarenko AV, ... , Weber AN. J Immunol. 2010 Mar 15;184(6):3025-32. | 6. Kubarenko, A., Frank, M. & Weber, A. N. (2007) Biochem Soc Trans 35, 1515-8.
Your project
You would be involved in one or more of the following:
• Expressing and purifying PRR protein domains from mammalian tissue culture.
• Biochemically characterizing these proteins, their post-translational modification and their complexes with ligands or other binding partners
• Investigating the frequency of PRR SNPs in genomic DNA collections for different human diseases and screening for functional variants in tissue culture models.
• Analyzing the functional consequences of selected PRR SNPs in primary immune cells.
The team and institute
You would be part of a dynamic research group with a proven track record, and located in an excellent scientific environment, the Department of Immunology (Head: Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Rammensee) on the Tübingen University and Hospital campus. You would find a friendly, well-connected and international environment, and a firm commitment to good supervision and professional development. International applicants are very welcome and will be supported in participating in the basic German courses (NB: German skills are not a requirement for application as English will generally be used in the work environment). Remuneration will be according to German public sector pay scale TV-L13. See http://www.immunology-tuebingen.de/groups/alexander-nr-weber for more details.
Your profile
You hold a Doctorate (PhD) or equivalent degree in biological or biophysical sciences, and ideally have at least one first author publication in an international, peer-reviewed journal. You are highly motivated to work (and read) independently and also as part of a team. You have a very good command of the English language (written and spoken) and some experience in scientific (manuscript and/or grant) writing. Experience in the supervision of students is welcome. First-hand research experience in protein biochemistry and/or immunology will be essential.
Your application
Applications should be sent by email to alexander.weber[at]uni-tuebingen.de and should include: Motivation letter, CV including a summary of obtained University grades and complete publication list, Degree transcripts, Recommendation letters of at least 1 recent referee, your most important first author publication as pdf.
Alexander Weber, PhD
Junior Professor for Innate Immunity, Tübingen University, Germany