PostDoc Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine (m/f/d)

The Immune-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions in immune-mediated diseases. The group explores basic mechanisms of immunologic tolerance and its failure in the context of gut, skin, and other mucosal microbiota. The lab has previously investigated this field at Yale University before relocating to the University of Münster, Germany. The lab has previously identified several pathobionts in autoimmunity (Vieira et al, Science 2018; Greiling et al, Sci Transl Med 2018; Ruff et al, Cell Host Microbe 2019; Zegarra-Ruiz et al, Cell Host Microbe 2019) that are being studied in more depth (Gronke et al, Sci Transl Med, in press) within a global network. Our lab is highly interdisciplinary and uses human tissue, organoid, and murine gnotobiotic approaches coupled with next-generation human microbiome sequencing to identify commensal triggers in autoimmunity and cancer. Techniques span a broad range from immunology, cell and molecular biology to microbiology including gnotobiotics, organoids, cell-bacteria-co-culturing, measurement of epithelial barrier integrity (TEER), qPCR, bacteria mutants, anaerobic cultivation, strain isolation and identification.

• University degree with doctorate in biology, human biology, biochemistry, biomedicine or other life sciences
• Solid knowledge of microbiological and molecular biological techniques such as culturing of fastidious bacteria (anaerobic cultivation, strain isolation from complex (human) samples), design and generation of deletion mutants in gram positive background is appreciated
• Basic knowledge in immunological techniques such as FACS, ELISAs, T/B cell stimulation assays
• Basic knowledge of in vitro and in vivo models
• Experiences in working with different knock-out and transgenic animals, gnotobiotic research experience would be beneficial but is not essential
• Independent, reliable and structured way of working with a strong sense of quality is essential
• Good team and communication skills and motivation
• Willingness to independently establish new methods and to independently and critically reflect on scientific data
• Strong Internet and PC skills (MS PowerPoint, Excel, GraphPad Prism)
• Very good written and spoken English language skills
• Willingness to travel for several days in order to present research data at national and international events

• Training and working in the cutting-edge field of host-microbiota interactions with projects embedded in an interdisciplinary team connected with global collaborators
• Support for personal development and training (e.g. structured development of leadership competencies)
• Access to different cohort studies, patient registers and biomaterials

The Immune-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory is affiliated with the Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University Hospital of Münster and the Institute of Experimental Musculoskeletal Medicine. It is located adjacent to the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine and partly housed in the Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation. For more information about the group see here.

Prerequisites:

• Applicants will have successfully completed a PhD or MD/PhD in a field related to microbiology, immunology, molecular biology

Applications of women are specifically invited. In the case of similar qualifications, competence, and specific achievements, women will be considered on preferential terms within the framework of the legal possibilities. Handicapped candidates with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.