6 PhD Positions for the Bioactive Peptides Research Training Group in Berlin/Potsdam

Technische Universität Berlin

RTG 2473/2 SynPepBio: Bioactive Peptides – Innovative Aspects of Synthesis and Biosynthesis

The joint Research Training Group of

Technische Universität Berlin – Freie Universität Berlin – Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Universität Potsdam – FMP Berlin

offers

6 PhD Positions in Berlin/​Potsdam, Germany

(salary E 13 TV‑L, 67 %, for three years starting at 01 April 2025)

Peptide research has become very important in both academia and industry, and there is a high demand for well-trained and knowledgeable researchers in this field. For this reason, the Bioactive Peptides Research Training Group offers a modern research training programme in peptide research for scientific staff. The RTG comprises 12 different research groups with scientific backgrounds in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, computational chemistry, synthetic techniques and methods, providing state-of-the-art bioanalytical and structural characterisation of peptides. More detailed information on the participating groups and the specific vacancies (with reference number) can be found at: https://​www.synpepbio.de/​apply. If you have any questions, please contact Dr Erik Werner (erik.​werner@​tu-berlin.de).

The research assistant has successfully completed an academic university degree (master's, diploma, or equivalent) in (bio‑)chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, biotechnology, or a related field (or completes it soon). In addition, specialised knowledge should also be available:

Focus I: basic knowledge of micro- and/or molecular biology in theory and practice (cultivation of E. coli and fungi, cloning techniques, PCR, etc.) and/or protein biochemistry (protein purification by chromatography, protein characterisation by MS and spectroscopic methods).

Focus II: theoretical and practical experience in the fundamentals of peptide synthesis chemistry, very good knowledge of bioanalytical techniques for the identification of synthesis products (MS, NMR).

Focus III: theoretical and practical experience in fundamentals of structure elucidation, biophysics or structural biology with particular interest in biomolecular NMR spectroscopy and/or experience in peptide chemistry or protein biochemistry combined with dedication to learn biomolecular NMR.

Focus IV: experience or a solid understanding of molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations. Candidates with additional experience in peptide chemistry or natural products are strongly encouraged to apply.

Good knowledge of German and/or English required; willingness to acquire the respective missing language skills. Successful applicants will have a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration in research, including molecular biology, (protein) biochemistry, bioanalytics, bioinformatics and structural biology.

Interested candidates should send their application, quoting the reference number, focus and target group, together with a cover letter (background and motivation), curriculum vitae, certificates (including university degree), and contact details of at least one person who would be willing to provide a letter of reference, by email as a single PDF file (max. 5 MB) to contact@synpepbio.tu-berlin.de by 02 January 2025. A candidate may apply for more than one position but must indicate first, second or third priority in their email.