PhD student in quantitative microbiology: understanding the mechanisms behind the sub-cellular organisation of proteins within bacterial cells

The new project research group of Dr. Seán Murray in the Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany invites applications for a PhD student in quantitative microbiology to start in late 2018/early 2019.

Working at the interface between biology and physics, our aim is to understand the mechanisms behind the sub-cellular organisation of proteins within bacterial cells and their role in the organisation and segregation of bacterial chromosomes. To this end, the student will use state-of-the-art techniques in genetics, fluorescence microscopy and image analysis and will work closely with theoreticians towards the development and validation of informative mathematical models.

Applicants should have a degree in biology (preferably a master’s degree) and experience of microbiology and related genetic techniques. Knowledge of microscopy, image analysis, programming and/or modelling is desirable but not required. Applicants should additionally have excellent communication, organizational and time-management skills and enjoy working proactively and independently. Good command of spoken and written English is essential.

The group is part of the Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, which is also associated with the LOEWE centre for synthetic microbiology (SYNMIKRO). The successful applicants will become a member of the IMPRS (http://www.imprs-microbiology.mpg.de) or SYNMIKRO (www.gradschool.synmikro.com) graduate schools. In the absence of another awarding institution, the PhD will be awarded by the Philipp University of Marburg.

The MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology consists of four departments and several department-independent research groups and offers a stimulating, interdisciplinary and international research environment. Together with the neighbouring Philipps University of Marburg, it forms one of the largest clusters of microbiology research in Europe with facilities for genomics, proteomics, robotics, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. More information about the Max Planck Institute can be found at http://www.mpi-marburg.mpg.de.

The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages application from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max-Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore encourages women to apply.

Applicants should send their application in English and should include a motivation letter, CV, exam results and the names and contact details of academic referees as a single pdf file by e-mail to: [Email Address Removed]. Applications should be received by September 30th 2018 but will be considered until the position is filled. Further information can be found at http://www.mpi-marburg.mpg.de/murray or by email to the above address.