Postdoc/Scientist Position Innate Immunity Signaling (EN)

Innate Immunity is a vital part of the human immune system, controlling immediate innate effector responses and shaping subsequent adaptive immunity. In order to understand innate immunity better and harness its translational potential for new therapies in infection, inflammation and cancer, our lab is studying innate immune signaling pathways in human primary cells and patients. Here, we plan to implement and apply novel gene editing approaches in immune cell progenitors to discover and decipher novel aspects of innate immunity in a translationally highly relevant context.

Topics to get involved in | Pattern recognition receptors signaling; Neutrophil extracellular traps; NLRP3 inflammasome signaling; MyD88-driven lymphoma; Interplay of cellular senescence and innate immunity.

Suggested reading | Bittner, ..., Weber AN. BTK operates a phospho-tyrosine switch to regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activity. J Exp Med. 2021;218(11); Herster F, ..., Weber AN. Neutrophil-extracellular trap-associated RNA (naRNA) and LL37 enable self-amplifying inflammation in psoriasis. Nat Commun 2020; 11(1):105.

Methods and skills to learn | Immunology techniques (PBMC, neutrophil preparation, cell culture assays of cell lines and primary human and mouse immune cells, ELISA, flow cytometry), molecular biology (mutagenesis, PCR, restriction digests, sub-cloning, CRISPR), protein biochemistry (SDS-PAGE, immunoblot, immunoprecipitation), microscopy (cell culture and tissue immunofluorescence, live cell), data analysis, scientific writing and presentation.
The team | In order to execute this project and complement our laboratory team we hope to recruit bright and
enthusiastic researchers, including one postdoc. You would be part of a dynamic research group with a solid track
record, and located in an excellent scientific environment, the Department of Immunology located on the campus of the University of Tübingen, one of Germany’s Excellence Universities. Your work would connect to a range of ongoing projects by a implementing and then applying a technology, namely iPSC culture, CRISPR editing and differentiation to immune cell subsets according to available protocols. In our well-funded laboratory you would find a friendly, well-connected and international (German & English speaking) environment, and a firm commitment to good supervision and professional development, e.g. towards junior group leadership.

Further information | Please visit our website. Position to start 07/2023 or asap thereafter, Duration: 4 years, potentially extendable by 2 more years, Remuneration: German TV-L E13 100% position. Application open NOW → apply ASAP

Your profile | Masters degree (or equivalent) in biological sciences or medicine, research experience (usually acquired during a PhD) in molecular/cellular biology, microbiology/virology, protein biochemistry and/or immunology; high motivation to work independently and as part of a team; good command of the English language (written and spoken); both German and international applications encouraged and international applicants will be supported to attend German courses but German skills are not required to apply successfully.

Your application | Please apply electronically to alexander.weber@uni-tuebingen.de with all of the following:
Cover/motivation letter (max 1 A4), CV, transcripts and certificates of MSc and BSc degree. If available, include
support letter from a previous supervisor and TOEFL/IELTS English proficiency information. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews scheduled accordingly.