Research assistant (f/m/d) DM-840
Who We Are
We are a young group interested in understanding quantitative aspects of gene regulation and coordination of the different steps of gene expression. We study Escherichia coli and the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans using molecular biology, biochemistry and quantitative biology approaches. Ultimately, we aim to understand how fundamental processes of gene regulation connect to regulation at the organismal level and to pathology, and to make that knowledge useful for biomedicine. We are part of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry and maintain collaborations within FU Berlin, across Germany and internationally.
What You Can Expect in Your New Role
In the research group of Prof. Dr. Lydia Herzel (RNA Dynamics) a doctoral position is to be filled to work on transcription dynamics in E. coli and to characterize the contribution of a number of putative transcription factors, as well as the interconnection of RNA polymerase pausing to RNA processing. This project is part of a DFG-funded research unit FOR 6037 investigating the structure and function of multi-subunit RNA polymerases (msRNAPs) in different organisms, viruses and organelles and a direct collaboration with the structural biochemistry group at the institute.
If you are interested, please apply with your CV, a short description of your master’s thesis project (or other equivalent research internships), your university degree certificates and contact details for two referees.
Key Requirements
A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biochemistry or a comparable field.
Desirable
Applicants should bring:
- Strong interest in the fundamental function and regulation of the transcription process by RNA polymerases
- High motivation to drive this project forward and develop it further
- Ability to work independently in day-to-day lab work and planning
- A reliable, careful working style and good documentation skills
- Interest in combining experiments and data analysis
- Very good oral and written communication skills in English
- Teamwork skills and an interest in scientific exchange
Professional experience (desired for conceiving and performing the experiments and analyses in the proposed project):
- Very good knowledge of the fundamentals of gene expression in bacteria and eukaryotes
- Extensive practical experience in molecular biology, in particular cloning in E. coli on plasmids and into the genome
- Extensive practical experience in microbiology
- Experience with (in vitro) transcription analysis methods
- Practical experience with immunoprecipitation and protein and RNA analysis
- Very careful documentation and presentation of research results
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing methods
- Experience in designing and performing bioinformatic data analyses
Benefits and Other Advantages
- Direct supervision in the lab
- Daily exchange with the group and other labs at the institute
- Thesis advisory committee with experts in the field through integration into the research unit infrastructure
- Annual (peer) exchange as part of the research unit symposium
- Lab placements in groups of the research unit
- Very good data infrastructure
- Participation in biochemistry teaching and the opportunity to gain experience supervising students in the lab
- Modern workplace in the leafy suburb of Dahlem
- Flexible working hours and mobile working by arrangement, where possible
- The compatibility of work and family life
- Numerous training and continuing education options for professional and personal development
- Opportunity to participate in University Sports Center courses and the health promotion program
- Free parking close to the office and good public transportation connections
- Discounted “Job Ticket” for public transportation
- Free use of the Freie Universität library system
- Employee discount in the cafeteria
- Exclusive deals for products and services through Corporate Benefits
If you are interested in what we have to offer,
Please send your application materials to us (CV, short description of your master’s thesis project (or other equivalent research internships), university degree certificates and contact details of two referees). To do this, submit your application exclusively via our career portal by clicking the “Apply now” button. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications by post or by e-mail.
You can also get in touch with Mr./Ms. Prof. Dr. Lydia Herzel via phone.: +49 30 838 60266 or e-Mail: lydia.herzel@fu-berlin.de