Vacancies

June 25, 2018

Scientific Assistant/PhD Candidate (50% TVL13)

The following PhD Position in the lab of Dr. Sven Lang (Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg) is available with immediate effect:

Protein targeting to the Endoplasmic Reticulum
One classic hallmark of eukaryotic cells is their compartmentalization into different organelles, each one designed for a specialized purpose. For example, a large volume of the cytoplasm is occupied by a tubular network called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This dynamic structure represents the entrance point for proteins to the secretory pathway. Consequently, almost all secreted proteins or those of the endomembrane system are handled by the ER. Therefore, it is not surprising that approximately one-third of all genes encode for proteins that must be targeted to the ER. The question arises how do these structurally very different proteins that are synthesized in the cytosol find their way to the ER? The answer lies in dedicated protein targeting pathways. In the past, two such protein targeting pathways, called SRP and TRC, were described as evolutionarily conserved mechanisms directing different precursor proteins to the ER membrane. The importance of targeting mechanisms is emphasized by their conservation ranging from complex, multicellular organisms such as humans to the unicellular yeast S. cerevisiae.
Recently, a high-throughput screening approach in combination with ribosome profiling using the yeast system identified a novel targeting pathway to the ER, which was termed SND (Aviram et al. 2016, Nature). Subsequently, our own work identified the existence of the SND pathway also in human cells by characterizing one of the three SND core components (Haßdenteufel et al. 2017, FEBS Letters). To continue this work, we plan to identify both the remaining SND components as well as SND dependent substrates in the human system. Using a label-free, quantitative mass spectrometry approach in conjunction with protein-protein interaction studies as well as functional in vitro studies of protein transport we have the tools at hand to identify and verify novel SND components and substrates. The large-scale identification of SND dependent proteins will also help to decipher the pivotal substrate characteristics for this novel targeting route to the human ER.

We are looking forward to applications from highly qualified and motivated students of any nationality.

Mandatory conditions for emplyment are:
MSc or an equivalent qualification in Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Physiology, Immunology, Pharmacy or a closely related discipline.

Physically handicapped persons will be preferred in case equally qualified.

We aim to increase the number of women in this field. Therefore, women are encouraged to apply for this position.

Applications shall be sent to:

Dr. Gabriele Amoroso
Department of Plant Physiology
Faculty of Biology
University of Kaiserslautern
Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße
D-67663 Kaiserslautern
gamoroso-noSpam-@rhrk.uni-kl-noSpam-.de

Please do not include original documents and certificates! Application papers will not be sent back. Please do not use binders.