Postdoc (gn*)

(*gn=gender neutral)

The Institute of Molecular Virology and the Institute for Infectiology, University of Münster, Germany offers a position for a postdoc, initially term-limited to 36 months. 

Full time
Salary according to TV-L E13

Influenza A viruses (IAV) and the current pandemic SARS-CoV-2 lead to severe viral pneumonia and pose a major burden to human health. In addition to the virus-induced disease, co-infections with bacteria (e.g. Klebsiella pneumoniae) frequently occur and are associated with increased mortality. However, not only the bacteria itself but also outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that are spontaneously secreted by bacteria and contain immuno-stimulatory bacterial components, play an important role in the pathophysiology of viral pneumonia.

The groups of Dr. Linda Brunotte and Prof. Petra Dersch are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. or Postdoctoral student to investigate the immune-activating properties of K. pneumoniae OMVs and to unravel how the induced immune responses are involved in the exacerbation of viral pneumonia.

The project involves exciting experimental work using primary human lung tissue explants, patient-derived alveolar organoids and alveolar macrophages to visualize OMV/cell interactions using fluorescently labelled particles as well as RNAseq/single cell RNA-seq methods to determine the cell type-specific immune and cell death responses.

The candidate should bring practical experience in working with primary human tissues and cell cultures and should have a background in RNA virology and/or bacteriology, molecular biology, immunology, and cell biology. Experience in complex data analysis using R is recommended. In addition, this project requires a high level of motivation, self-organisation, determination, discipline, and team compatibility. Required computer skills include known office programs and Graph Pad Prism.

We offer a 3-year Postdoc-Position (TV-L E13, 100%), in a multidisciplinary and international team of highly motivated and experienced researchers in a very supportive and friendly environment. The position is vacant from the 1st of January 2023, in the groups of Linda Brunotte at the Institute of Molecular Virology and Petra Dersch at the Institute of Infectiology in the ZMBE of the University of Münster.

https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/en/zmbe/the-institutes.html

We are looking forward to your online application by 13.12.2023.

The University Hospital of Münster is one of the leading hospitals in Germany. Such a position cannot be achieved by size and medical successes alone. The individual commitment counts above all. We need your commitment so that even with little things we can achieve great things for our patients. There are many possibilities open for you so that you may develop with them.