The DFG-funded international Research Training Group GRK2662 "Charging into the future: understanding the interaction of polyelectrolytes with biosystems" aims to gain a better understanding of the molecular interactions between polyelectrolytes such as DNA, proteins or heparin with complex biological systems. A special feature of the Research Training Group is the close, complementary cooperation between scientists from Freie Universität Berlin (Germany), McGill University, Montréal, and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada).
The international research training group GRK2662 offers
• Positions for research assistants with the possibility of a doctorate,
• structured academic training in an international research environment, including participation in a variety of research-specific and career-enhancing training courses and events,
• integration into an interdisciplinary international research network
• and the opportunity for research stays in the laboratories of the Canadian partner institutions.

Job description:
Inflammation is a key process of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. Negative and positive charges play a major role in the regulation of inflammatory processes by inflammatory factors, as well as in the interaction of pathogens with their host cells. Research into these interactions is important and a better understanding can be used to synthesize polymer-based polyelectrolytes that have potential as pathogen inhibitors or regulators of an exaggerated inflammatory response.
In project C2, led by Dr. Katharina Achazi and in collaboration with other researchers from project B1 (Haag, Block) and other groups of the IRTG2662, suitable polyelectrolytes will therefore be synthesized and investigated for their interactions with pathogens and inflammatory reactions.
Further project information can be found at www.grk2662.de

Requirements:
Applicants should have an M.Sc. degree in chemistry, biochemistry, polymer science or equivalent and must fulfill the requirements for admission to the doctoral program of the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy at Freie Universität Berlin.

Desirable:
• Extensive experience in the synthesis of polymers
• experience in working with bacteria, fungi and cells up to risk class 2, as well as toxicity tests and pathogen assays
• experience e.g. in light, confocal and fluorescence microscopy for imaging bacteria and other biological samples
• very good skills in written and spoken English
• good communication skills and willingness to work in collaborations and teams

We look forward to receiving your application, which should include the following documents:
• A one-page letter of motivation of why you want to work in Project C2, together with details of previous research experience and future goals
• your CV (including a list of publications if applicable),
• certificates of your academic education including copies of your Bachelor's and Master's degrees,
• at least two letters of support.

For further information, please contact Dr. Svenja Herziger (bewerbung@grk2662.de / +49-(0)30-88365340).