City:  Potsdam
Date:  Oct 21, 2024

PhD student: Development of a platform technology for screening inflammatory responses

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) and its Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB) focusses on innovative ideas in food and environmental analytics, diagnostics, drug development and process technologies.

 

We are looking for a PhD candidate for the field of bioprocessing at the earliest possible date.

The administration of pharmaceutical compounds triggers a variety of cascades within the body. Inflammatory responses are cellular and molecular reactions that can be triggered by active substances and thus influence the effect of the pharmaceutical. The investigation of such reactions is therefore essential. These cellular reactions are usually complex.

An in vitro system for analyzing inflammatory responses is to be developed during the PhD project. First, cell-based inflammatory pathways will be analyzed after drug administration and subsequently transferred to a cell-free system.

Cell-free protein synthesis offers an open & adaptable system, which is scalable to the smallest scale and can therefore be used for high-throughput screenings. 

 

What you will do

During the PhD the following steps will be worked on:

  • Establishment of cell-based inflammatory pathways in model cell lines
  • Characterization of standard eukaryotic cell-free systems for inflammatory pathways
  • Development of new modified eukaryotic cell-free systems

The following methods will be used, among others:

  • Cell culture and microscopy
  • CRISPR/Cas
  • Protein detection methods such as Western blotting and ELISA
  • Cell-free protein synthesis
  • Protein-protein interaction studies such as pull-down assays

 

What you bring to the table

We are looking for highly motivated candidates for a creative research task. We would like the candidates to have experiences in the following:

  • Master’s degree in the fields of immunology, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or a similar scientific field
  • Prior work in the field of immunology
  • Knowledge in molecular and biochemical methods (PCRs, palsmid preparations, protein detection methods etc.)
  • Experiences in cell culture methods
  • Working independently and team work

 

What you can expect

With us you have:

  • The opportunity to work on an interesting research project in application-related research
  • An innovative and modern working environment, equipped with the latest laboratory and equipment technology
  • Room for independent work 
  • A motivating and collegial working atmosphere 
     

 

 

The contractually regulated working time is 50% on the basis of a full-time position (39 hours per week), whereby you can use the remaining time (50%) for your doctorate.
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. 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!
 

If you are interested, please contact:


Dr. Franziska Ramm 
Fraunhofer-Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie, 
Institutsteil Bioanalytik und Bioprozesse IZI-BB
Am Mühlenberg 13
14476 Potsdam, Deutschland
E-Mail: franziska.ramm@izi-bb.fraunhofer.de
Tel. +49 331 58187-327
 

Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses 

www.izi-bb.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 76471                Application Deadline:

 


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