Biological nanopores are an exciting new class of biosensors that will be used for molecular diagnostics in the future to identify epigenetic factors and so-called post-translational modifications (PTM) of proteins that are causally involved in common and often fatal diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, mental, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Until now, these factors and modifications can only be detected using complex mass spectrometry or error-prone immunoassays. Miniaturized analysis systems on the basis of nanopore technology will be able to determine them much more easily, quickly and reliably.
Within the BMBF Cluster 4 Future initiative “nanodiag BW", the Institute of Biophysics at the University of Stuttgart offers a PhD position (E13 TV-L, 2/3) for a period of three years to work on the following project:
»OPTICAL DETECTION OF SINGLE-MOLECULE NANOPORE INSERTION INTO MEMBRANES«
For this challenging project, we are looking for a talented and motivated student with a strong interest in membrane biophysics, protein biochemistry or chemical biology who wants to apply integrative nanotechnology design principles from the bottom up. The candidate should have a Master's degree in physics, chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry or biotechnology, microsystems engineering or equivalent and either basic knowledge in biophysics, including e.g. single molecule imaging, MATLAB/ImageJ programming and/or electrophysiology, or a biology background with experience in molecular biology and biochemistry of membrane proteins.
Applications should include:
- Curriculum vitae with your name, address, degree(s) with transcript(s) of grades, research experience, educational and employment history. Please include any awards, distinctions and publications.
- Motivation letter
- Name and e-mail address of two academic references
The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.
Contact:
- Stephan Nussberger, Institute of Biophysics (https://www.bio.uni-stuttgart.de/en/biophysics, nussberger@bio.uni-stuttgart.de)
References:
- Cluster 4 Future Initiative https://www.hahn-schickard.de/en/nanodiag
- Wang et al. (2023) J. Vis. Exp. 192: 1-21, e64970
- Wang et al. (2022) Nature Bioengineering Community Blog Post
- Wang et al. (2022) Commun. Biol. 5: 471, 1-11
- Ensslen et al. (2022) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144: 35t, 16060-16068.
- Ouldali et al. (2020) Biotechnol. 38:176-181.
- Bausewein et al. (2017) Cell 170: 693–700.