The Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB) is an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences located on the campus of the University of Mainz in Germany. The group of Prof. C. Cremer is seeking to recruit a PhD student in the broad field of biophysics. The successful applicant will contribute to internationally competitive research on superresolution light microscopy of genome nanostructure.

Our group: We have established a variety of superresolution light microscopy ("nanoscopy") methods for the "nanoimaging" of functional nuclear structures. Presently such methods include Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) with a laterally enhanced resolution of about 100 nm (twice enhancement of the conventional limit); Spatially Modulated Illumination (SMI) microscopy with an axially structured optical lattice, which has made it possible to measure the size of  cellular complexes with a spatial resolution down to a few tens of nanometer and to perform precise size measurements of the compaction status of small, specifically labelled chromatin domains, replication and transcription complexes; and Single Molecule Localization Microscopy techniques, in particular Spectral Position Determination Microscopy (SPDM) with conventional fluorophores. These methods have allowed us to image nuclear nanostructures also in 3D intact nuclei down to a lateral optical resolution in the!
  macromolecular range in optical sections with a thickness of a few tens of nanometer. In the context of a variety of biological collaborations, present SPDM applications studied in the Cremer-Lab include the analysis of the spatial correlation of chromatin and epigenetic modification factors responsible for the structure and function of the cell nucleus (e.g. different types of histones, chromatin remodelling proteins; Polymerase II, and many more), as well as radiation induced repair protein complexes and radiation changes in chromatin nanostructure. Information on the scientific background can be found at:

https://www.imb-mainz.de/students-postdocs/international-phd-programme/apply-to-ipp/projects-offered/christoph-cremer-2015/

You will: Apply superresolution microscopy for the quantitative analysis of the nanostructure of specific gene domains in various states of activity; contribute to the further development of super-resolution microscopy for 3D imaging; obtain training in applied optics and image processing approaches; have access to all IMB Core Facilities; be supervised by trained experts in microscopy development; work within a multidisciplinary team composed of biophysicists, physicists, pharmacologists, and computer scientists; collaborate with internal and external partners.

We offer: The possibility to work on a cutting-edge project using state-of-the-art technology in a highly motivated research team. a stimulating, diverse and international research environment; advanced training opportunities; a competitive stipend.

Required Qualifications: Masters or Diploma in Biophysics (e.g. in Physics, Engineering, Computer Sciences, Physical Chemistry), preferably with previous experience in Applied Optics and/or Programming (Matlab, Python); High motivation to solve complex problems related to biophysics; Excellent communication skills.

Starting date: 1 May 2016 or later

Duration of stipend: 3 years, with the possibility of 1 year extension

Deadline for registration: 08 November 2015
Deadline for applications: 15 November 2015 (incl. reference letters)

Application can only be submitted through the website of the PhD programme
https://www.imb-mainz.de/students-postdocs/international-phd-programme/apply-to-ipp/projects-offered/christoph-cremer-2015/