Scientific Project Staff – Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d) in the Department of Molecular Biosciences

Your Responsibilities

• Writing a dissertation in the field of structural biology
• Participation in research project on de novo design of artificial symmetrical protein assemblies that mimic bacterial S-layers
• Molecular cloning, heterologous protein expression and protein purification
• Biophysical investigations of proteins and their assemblies (using methods such as ITC, MALS, SAXS, CD, fluorescence microscopy)
• Structural characterization of protein assemblies (e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography or related integrative structural biology approaches)
• Engineering and analysis of protein assemblies to act as scaffolds for the spatial control of enzyme cascades
• Functional reconstitution of multi‑enzyme cascades on designed protein assemblies
• Application of the computational tool SymProFold and related predictive methods to analyze dynamics, contact interfaces and key interaction motifs within protein assemblies
• Documentation and analysis of experimental data; presentation of results at group meetings, seminars and conferences
• Contribution to general lab duties and to a collaborative environment within the BiotechPredict doc.funds programme

Your Profile

• Completed Master (or Diploma) studies in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a comparable degree with a written master thesis (diploma thesis)
• Proven eligibility requirements for entering a PhD program that normally apply in the country where they completed their Masters education
• Excellent command of spoken and written English
• Practical knowledge in the field of cloning, protein expression and purification
• Practical knowledge of biophysical investigations of proteins and their interactions (using methods such as SAXS, CD, MALS)
• Practical knowledge in the field of integrative structural biology
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of TEM and/or high-resolution fluorescence microscopy (desirable)
• Initial experience with computational protein structure prediction, design and dynamics tools (e.g. AlphaFold(-Multimer), Rosetta, MD-simulations or similar)
• Practical experience with enzymes, such as performing enzyme activity assays and understanding of enzyme kinetics and mechanisms (desirable)
• Teamwork and high motivation to answer scientific questions
• Reliability

Application Documents

The following documents are required for a complete application:

• Letter of motivation and academic CV
• Complete proof of completion of the degree program required in the call for applications
• Submission of certified documents as requested, information can be found here Legalization – International Students
• Proof of the language skills, required in the curriculum, if the doctoral program is not completed in the first language.

We offer an annual gross salary of € 52,865.40 for a fulltime position.

We Offer

Meaning: We offer meaningful work for the world of tomorrow.

Our internal continuing education program is as colorful as the university itself.

Collaboration: With us, you’ll find interdisciplinary, cross-professional opportunities to work together.

Benefits: Of course, there are all the usual benefits, from A “access to healthcare services” to Z “Zero emission goal”.

Diversity: Besides our various scientific fields and their related issues, we offer a working environment in which diversity and inclusion are lived.

Flexibility: We demonstrate flexibility not only with the various working time models but also through the offers for the compatibility of family and career.

About us

At the University of Graz, 4700 employees work together on future questions and solutions for the world of tomorrow. Our students and researchers take on the major challenges of society and share their knowledge. We work for tomorrow. Be part of it!

This position is part of the FWF doc.funds programme BiotechPredict, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), which invites applications from PhD candidates in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology.

Contact

Assoz. Prof. Dr. Tea Pavkov-Keller I tea.pavkov@uni-graz.at

Institute Website