PhD position, Max Planck Institute Tübingen, Germany

[silke.wiesner]

Applications are invited for

Diploma / Master and PhD positions

in the newly established research group of Dr. Silke Wiesner at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen, Germany.

The group is interested in the Ubiquitin-dependent regulation of cell polarity. As part of this focus, we wish to describe the protein ubiquitination reaction at atomic resolution. The attachment of ubiquitin to proteins is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications. Deregulation of the ubiquitination reaction is the cause of various diseases, including cancer. Yet, the exact mechanisms underlying protein ubiquitination and its regulation are still unknown.

The project aims at identifying and characterizing binding surfaces and conformational changes in HECT-type ubiquitin ligases at different steps of the ubiquitination reaction using biomolecular NMR spectroscopy in combination with other biophysical and biochemical methods. The interdisciplinary character of the project offers the opportunity to learn and apply a variety of techniques in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities (e.g. a 600 and an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer installed in May 2008) and offers an international PhD program.

The positions are available as of July 01, 2008.

Motivated and creative students with strong interests in structural biology are encouraged to apply. Applications should include a letter stating research interests / experience and a CV. Please send your application in PDF format to: silke.wiesner[at]tuebingen.mpg.de.

Applicants for PhD positions must hold a Diploma or Master degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry by the time they start their PhD studies.