Its Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI researches and develops special problem solutions at the interfaces of medicine, life sciences and engineering.
For our research group »Clinical Gene Transfer« we are looking for a doctoral student at our Leipzig site as soon as possible. The newly established group deals with the basic molecular biology, cellular regulation and genetic applications of transposable elements (transposons). Transposon-based gene vectors are entering the mainstream for genetic manipulation of mammalian (including human) cells. On this basis, the group develops innovative, non-viral gene transfer technologies in the fields of gene therapy and regenerative medicine with the intention of guiding these technologies towards clinical applications.
What you will do
- You will be working in the collaborative research network »CAR Factory - A high-output platform for gene-engineered CAR-T and CAR-NK cell immunotherapies against cancer«, funded by the German Cancer Aid.
- Your area of responsibility lies in the molecular engineering of novel transposon and transposase components.
- To this end, you will generate variants of transposases and modified versions of transposon vectors and validate these in cultured human cells. You will repeat and optimize the above steps iteratively in order to establish an optimal combination.
- A significant component of the work will be the generation of transposon vector integration site libraries in cultured human cells and annotation of those insertions by next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools.
- You will make genetic modifications to primary immune cells (T cells, NK cells) with components of the improved vector components in order to evaluate the performance of the system in therapeutically relevant human cells.
- You will communicate your research results in writing within the framework of corresponding publications as well as orally at regular colloquia and at specialist meetings or conferences.
What you bring to the table
- You have successfully completed a Master's or Diploma degree in life sciences.
- You have already gained experience in molecular and cell biology as part of your studies and previous career. Ideally, you also have knowledge of bioinformatics; however, this is not a prerequisite.
- You are very confident in oral and written communication in English and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team.
- Your working style is characterized by curiosity, commitment and initiative and you approach new challenges independently and flexibly.
What you can expect
- You will help shape the medicine of tomorrow and gain exciting insights into the leading organization for application-oriented research in Europe.
- At the Fraunhofer IZI, creative research freedom meets real added value for society through close links to industry.
- A PhD in a challenging interdisciplinary work environment with access to state-of-the-art research technologies and the opportunity to actively shape your field of work and advance your ideas in national and international scientific collaborations.
- Comprehensive further training opportunities and support services as part of your doctorate - further information on our doctoral program can be found here.
- Flexible working hours and home office options, taking into account your professional and private challenges
- A wide range of support services for balancing family and career (e. g. parent-child office, childcare facility at the institute)
- Good transport links with free car parking and secure bicycle parking spaces, charging stations for electric vehicles and a discounted Germany Job Ticket for local public transport
- Discounted employee prices in the institute’s canteen
Curious to find out more? Click here to get more information on what it's like to work at the Fraunhofer IZI and the benefits we offer our employees.
The position is limited to 3 years. The full-time position (39 hours per week) with 65% remuneration offers 35% of the working time for working on your own doctoral project and 65% of the working time for working on the institute's research projects. Employment, remuneration and social benefits are based on the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD). In addition, Fraunhofer may grant performance- and success-based variable remuneration components.
We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.
Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this position:
Prof. Dr. Zoltan Ivics
Email: zoltan.ivics@pei.de and zoltan.ivics@izi.fraunhofer.de
Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI
www.izi.fraunhofer.de
Requisition Number: 75651 Application Deadline: