Job Advertisement No. 22/2015

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute – (HKI, www.leibniz-hki.de) investigates the pathobiology of human-pathogenic fungi and identifies targets for the development of novel natural product-based antibiotics. For a joint research project of the Research Groups Fungal Septomics and Microbial Immunology we invite applications for a

Postdoc position

starting as soon as possible for three years initially. The project will be associated to the InfectControl 2020 research consortium (www.infectcontrol.de) and to the German National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infection (www.nrzmyk.de).

Research Area: 

Aspergillus fumigatus is a major fungal pathogen and causes invasive infections in severely immunocompromised patients. In recent years, treatment of these infections has been complicated by emerging resistance against first line antifungal drugs. In a collaborative research effort together with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Crop Plant Research Halle (Saale), the Clinic for Birds and Reptiles in Leipzig, and an industrial partner, we will analyse origins of antifungal resistance, molecular mechanisms and impact on outcome of antifungal treatment. Molecular methods and murine infection models combined with in vivo imaging will be used to analyse wild-type and resistant A. fumigatus isolates from the environment as well as from animal and human infections. In addition to advancing our knowledge about emergence and impact of resistance mutations, we aim to develop a novel diagnostic assay for invasive fungal infection.

Candidate’s profile:

We expect a PhD in Life Sciences (e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or equivalent). The applicant should have excellent communication skills (English) and should be able to supervise Master and PhD students and perform team-oriented as well as independent work. Practical experience in Infection Biology or Immunology and experience in handling laboratory mice is highly advantageous.

We offer a multifaceted scientific project with excellent technical facilities, a place in an interdisciplinary project in a young, committed team, as well as strong scientific collaborations. The successful candidate will be hosted in the Research Groups Microbial Immunology (Prof. Dr. Ilse Jacobsen) and Fungal Septomics (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kurzai) at the HKI. The HKI is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus providing state-of-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science groups

Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees). As an equal opportunity employer the HKI is committed to increase the percentage of female scientists and therefore especially encourages them to apply.

Further information: Prof. Dr. Oliver Kurzai | oliver.kurzai@leibniz-hki.de

Complete applications in English should include a CV, a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, the addresses of two possible referees, and should be submitted by 30.10.2015 referring to HKI job posting No. 22/2015 to jobs@leibniz-hki.de. The position is available from 01.12.2015.