Research Assistant/Doctoral Researcher

In the research group Plant Glycans at the Institute of Pharmacy, Christian-Albrechts-University (CAU) of Kiel, Germany, a position is available from June 1, 2021 as Research assistant/Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) limited until January 31, 2024. The salary for the position is based on the German federal public service scale (group 13 TV-L). The regular weekly working hours amount is 65 % of a full time position (currently 25,16 hours). The possibility for preparation of a PhD thesis will be given. 
 
Project description: 
The position is connected with the DFG project: “Cell walls of seagrasses from the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Red sea and the Indian Ocean– a new source of galactans for interaction with human galectins”.  The candidate will work on composition of cell walls as well on isolation of special glycoproteins, the so-called arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs, s.a. Pfeifer et al., 2020: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65135-5). After partial degradation of these AGPs, the resulting galactans will be tested for interaction with human galectins, which are involved in tumor metastasis. The range of methods comprises extraction of plant material, chemical synthesis, analytics (GC-MS, NMR, FTIR), microscopy as well as binding studies by ITC (Isothermal titration calorimetry) and BLI (Bio-layer-interferometry). 
 

Qualification requirements: 
  • motivated and dedicated doctoral student candidate with a scientific Diploma or Master degree in pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or comparable disciplines of life science, 
  • enthusiasm for scientific work and good scientific practice,
  • a basic understanding of data analysis,
  • English fluently, but basic German language skills are appreciated. 
 
Kiel University aims at increasing the number of women in research and academic teaching and strongly encourages applications of accordingly qualified women. Women will be preferred, provided equal qualifications and scientific performance. 

The University supports the employment of severely disabled persons. Therefore, severely disabled persons will be preferred, provided equal qualifications and scientific performance. 

Applicants with a migration background are particularly welcomed. 
 
Please send your application until March 15, 2021 to Prof. Dr. Birgit Classen (details see below). For further information, please contact Prof. Classen by e-mail or telephone. 

 
Applications in electronic form (one single PDF-file) should include: 
• Cover letter including research interests (max. 2 pages), 
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including list of technical expertise and publications, 
• Copies of diplomas and bachelor/master degree, 
• Statements and contact information of independent reference persons. 
 
Contact: 
Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel 
Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharm. Biology 
Plant glycan group 
Prof. Dr. Birgit Classen 
Gutenbergstr. 76 
24118 Kiel 
Tel.: +49 (0) 431 880 1130 
 
Please refrain from submitting application photos.
posted February 23, 2021