PhD Student (gn*) Biophysics

Fixed-term for 3 years | Part-time with 65% | Salary according to TV-L E13 | Institute of Molecular Physics and Biophysics & Center for Soft Nanoscience

We are UKM. We have a clear social mission and, with our focus on healthcare, research, and teaching, we bear a unique responsibility.

To meet our high standards every day, we are looking forward to your scientific expertise – ideally with you on board!

The position is located in the research group of C. Gatsogiannis and embedded in the DGF-funded Collaborative Research Centre 1748 ‘Principles of Reproduction’. The CRC 1748 involves scientists of the University, University Hospital, and Max Planck Institute Münster as well as of the RWTH Aachen. Our central objective is to elucidate the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms governing the formation and function of the testis, production and function of sperm, fertilisation, as well as early embryonic development – in both health and disease. To this end, we combine interdisciplinary research in molecular, structural, and cell biology as well as in physiology, biophysics, epi /genetics, (bio)informatics, and multimodal data analysis.

The Group of Christos Gatsogiannis focuses on the in situ structural analysis of ion channels in the flagellum of human sperm using advanced cryoEM methods.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Developing and optimizing workflows for cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM)
• Preparing cryo-lamellae for cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) using cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling
• Processing cryo-ET data, including subtomogram averaging, and developing and optimizing computational workflows
• Applying advanced image-processing approaches, performing tomogram segmentation, and conducting molecular modelling and structural analysis
• Visualizing and analyzing protein structures using tools such as PyMOL, ChimeraX, and AlphaFold
• Presenting and discussing research results at scientific meetings and conferences and contributing to scientific publications
• Participating in the Integrated Research Training Group “Reproduction.MS PhD-Training Centre in Translational Science”

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in biophysics, cell biology, structural biology, or a related field
• Strong interest in structural biology and in developing and applying cryo-ET methods
• Ability to work independently, systematically, and responsibly
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Excellent spoken and written English; German language skills are advantageous
• Experience in cryo-EM, structural biology, cell biology, or biophysics is advantageous; applications are also welcome from candidates with strong biological or structural training who are motivated to develop expertise in in situ structural workflows

WE OFFER:

• Salary according to TV-L E13, extra annual payment, and company pension plan (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation per year, plus two additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• A wide range of training and professional development opportunities
• A respectful and appreciative work environment within a diverse team
• Support and advisory services for health and work-life balance
• Additional benefits such as sports programs, job ticket, jobrad, company events, cafeteria, and emergency childcare

For inquiries, please contact: Prof. Dr. Christos Gatsogiannis, [email protected]

Apply now via our career portal.

Please include:

• Letter of motivation (max 2 pages)
• Summary of your Master‘s thesis (max 1 page)
• Transcript and scanned copies of your degree certificates
• Two letters of recommendation and/or names and contact details of two references