Job offers
Start of the second funding period:
Several new positions available
you can always inquire for job opportunities:
Scientific Coworker
Principal Investigator: D. Hoffmeister [B05]
for more details see: scientist B05
Scientific Coworker
Photonic-based analysis of natural products in complex biosystems
Principal Investigator: J. Popp [Z02]
more information: Dr. Petra Rösch: petra.roesch[a]uni-jena.de
Short description of the Job: The goal of this project within the CRC ChemBioSys is to develop and apply sensitive coherent Raman approaches in combination with other non-linear spectroscopic techniques to go a step further in the understanding of microbe interaction in consortia or with higher organisms. The non-linear spectroscopic techniques allow tracing selective molecular vibrations of lipids, proteins and DNA and other biological relevant targets with a high sensitivity on a subcellular level and a lateral resolution to the diffraction limit (~200 nm) while simultaneously enabling a 3D sectioning capability. Here, especially vibrational spectroscopic techniques will be used. Since naturally fluorescing components (autofluorophores) are ubiquity involved in metabolomic and signalling also fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is an option for the investigations.
Required Skills:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physical chemistry, physics, optics/photonics or a related discipline
- Solid knowledge of optical spectroscopy/microscopy and their application in materials sciences
- Excellent technical skills in laser (micro)spectroscopy with focus on vibrational spectroscopy
- Enthusiasm to play an active role in the interdisciplinary research team of ChemBioSys
- Highly motivated and creative personalities
- Excellent written and oral communications skills in English
Scientific Coworker
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Gershenzon [B07]
more Information: Dr. Daniel Vassao vassao[a]ice.mpg.de
Plant Defence Detoxification Strategies of Herbivores in a Multitrophic Context
Insect herbivores have developed various adaptations to avoid being poisoned by plant defensive chemicals. However, we know very little about these adaptations in phloem-feeding insects compared to leaf-chewing insects. We plan to study the detoxification of a group of plant defense compounds by aphids, and how this affects other organisms in the community, such as aphid enemies, microbes and other herbivores.
The project will focus on glucosinolates, the sulfur-containing defenses of cabbage, broccoli, radish and related species. In preliminary work, we found that aphids may prevent the toxic activation of glucosinolates in their guts by conjugation with additional sugars, and the corresponding genes were identified. We now want to investigate these reactions in more detail, and utilize transcriptome analyses and RNA interference to show the importance of different detoxification strategies for insect performance under different conditions. The work will also enhance our knowledge of how plant defense chemicals can be mobilized through different trophic levels, and mediate effects on many organisms in complex communities.
The successful candidate should have a strong background in molecular biological techniques, and an interest in learning more about insect biochemistry, physiology and ecology. Previous work with piercing-sucking insects like aphids is a plus. We offer a highly motivated, welcoming international research group where the candidate will be exposed to and learn diverse kinds of technical expertise.