PhD Student Molecular Biology (m/f/d)- Technische Universität Dresden

The Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE, https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/bcube) and its partner institutions, the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) and the Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for Molecular Bioscience research (https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/bcube/forschung-technologie/technologieplattform). They are part of a rich and collaborative environment that includes the School of Science, the Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), and the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF). For TUD Dresden University of Technology (TUD) diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.At the Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), an Institute of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), the Chair of Biomimetic Materials (Prof. Dr. Nils Kröger, https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/bcube/forschungsgruppen/kroeger) offers a position asResearch Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)(subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)starting as soon as possible. The position is initially limited for 3 years (PhD Student) and comprises 65% of the fulltime weekly hours with the possibility of extension. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification.Activities and responsibilitiesThe successful applicant will join the research project “Elucidating the Structure-Function Relationship in Silicanins and their Role in Diatom Silica Morphogenesis”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This project investigates the biological formation of functional 3D mineral structures (biominerals), which is a widespread biological phenomenon and a highly active, interdisciplinary research field, spanning biology, chemistry and materials science. To date, it is poorly understood which genes are involved in the morphogenesis of complex-structured biominerals and how the encoded proteins guide this process.The Kröger group uses diatoms as a model system to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid-bilayer mediated biomineralization. Diatoms are photosynthetic microalgae that construct intricately patterned silica-based cell walls that are from the scale of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers. They are readily amenable to genetic manipulation, and their lipid-bilayer bounded organelle for silica biogenesis can be isolated.The successful applicant will use state-of-the-art biochemical, molecular genetic and cell biological tools to understand the role that silicanins, a large family of novel transmembrane proteins, is involved in governing silica bio-morphogenesis. The project involves a close collaboration with the Structural Biology group of Prof. Raz Zarivach (Ben Gurion University, Israel) to determine information on the 3D structure of silicanins and silicanin-based supramolecular assemblies. Qualification profile university degree (MSc.) in biochemistry, molecular genetics, molecular cell biology, or related fields. Applicants with strong research experience in protein biochemistry will be preferred. Prior experience in genome engineering or mass spectrometry is advantageous but not required. Strong writing skills with a proven track record of successful research are essential. Excellent communication skills in English are indispensable, as this is the colloquial language at the research center.