The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) is one of the world’s leading research institutes in the fields of animal diseases, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal nutrition and farm animal genetics. It belongs to the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and informs and advises the Federal Government in these fields.

The Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology at the headquarters in Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany is seeking to fill the position of a

Research assistant, Postdoc (m/f/d)

with the regular weekly working hours for a limited period of 36 months. The employment relationship is based on the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD). Depending on the fulfillment of the requirements of this collective agreement, the position will be classified in pay group 14 of the TVöD, eastern pay scale.

Main tasks:

The position holder is expected to perform practical and organizational tasks within the project “Biological consequences of the use of alternative receptors during the entry process of arenaviruses”. In this project, the effects of primary and/or alternative viral receptor usage on infection with highly pathogenic and apathogenic arenaviruses (i.e., Junín and Tacaribe virus) will be investigated. In particular, influences on virus uptake, the successful establishment of viral infection, and the host cell response to infection will be analyzed. This work aims to clarify at a molecular level the observed but unexplained association of primary receptor usage with virulence.

Tasks:

•Modification of receptor expression in cell lines (using CRISPR/Cas and siRNAs)

•Isolation and cultivation of primary human monocytes/macrophages

•Use of reverse genetics to generate recombinant arenaviruses with altered receptor-binding properties

•Analysis of virus infection/growth kinetics (plaque assay, RT-qPCR)

•Analysis of virus entry by live cell microscopy (i.e. single particle tracking in combination with pH-sensitive dyes)

•Analysis of cytokine expression (RT-qPCR, ELISA, FACS)

Requirements:

•Completed undergraduate studies in biology, human biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cell biology, or a comparable natural science

•Completed doctoral degree in one of the above-mentioned disciplines

•Willingness and suitability to work in a BSL4 high-containment laboratory

•Enthusiasm for molecular biological and cell biological research questions

• Basic practical experience with molecular biological and cell biological methods (e.g. PCR, immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting)

Advantageous are:

• Experience with methods for studying virus entry

• Experience with confocal and/or live-cell microscopy

• Experience with classical virological methods (e.g., infection, plaque assay)

• Good written and spoken English

A high degree of motivation, the ability to work in a team, very good work organization, knowledge of English and willingness to publish the research results in oral and written forms are required.

The job involves working in secure biosafety areas, which requires security clearance in accordance with the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz, SÜG) and special protective measures against health hazards. Personal and health suitability is, therefore, a prerequisite for filling the position.

If applications are received, it will be examined whether part-time requests can be met within the scope of the possibilities offered by the position.

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are, therefore, expressly welcome. They will be given preferential consideration in the selection process.

For further information, please contact PD Dr. Groseth, Tel.: 038351 7 1101; Email: Allison.Groseth@fli.de

We are looking forward to your application. Please send your detailed and complete documents by 24. November 2023 as a PDF document via email to 166.23@fli.de with the subject "Position 166/23". Alternatively, you can send your application portfolio by mail to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Referat 12 Personal, Postfach 1318 in 17466 Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany.

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