Postdoc and Ph.D. positions: Free-electron laser applications in biology
Job offer from May 08, 2012
Applications of FELs in structural biology: Positions for Postdocs and PhD students
The Project: X-ray free-electron lasers provide highly intense, coherent, femtosecond x-ray pulses that promise novel approaches to structure determination of biological objects by “outrunning” most radiation damage processes. The concept of “diffraction-before-destruction” has been demonstrated recently at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the first operational hard x-ray FEL, for protein nanocrystals and viruses. We develop experimental and computational tools using model systems to study biologically important systems. We are looking for postdocs and graduate students who participate in FEL experiments and contribute to practical and/or computational aspects of:
- analysis of discrete and continuous diffraction patterns, incl. algorithm development
- target and injector development, for efficient delivery of biological samples in the beam.
We are part of an international collaboration that has frequent access to FEL beamtime. Data from previous FEL experiments are available for an immediate productive start.
The successful candidates: Master/diploma or PhD in physics, biology, or another field related to coherent imaging, crystallography, electron microscopy, image processing or microfluidics/aerosols. You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary group with numerous international collaborations. Good communication skills in English are a must.
The host laboratory: We are a small interdisciplinary international team that is part of the Dept. of Biomolecular Mechanisms at the MPI for Medical Research in Heidelberg, providing a thriving biochemistry/biophysics environment. We collaborate with groups at the Center of Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) at Hamburg, as well as with other members of the international research community. We are members of the Advanced Study Group (ASG) of the Max Planck Society (http://mpg.cfel.de/e58805/index_eng.html) that built the CAMP instrument that enabled, among other studies, the first biological imaging experiments at LCLS.
We offer a unique environment of top-level scientific research and state-of-the-art technology. The stimulating and dynamic environment provides young scientists with an ideal starting-point for further career steps. Heidelberg is one of the top centers for biomedical research in Germany, and graduate students have access to several different Ph.D. programs.
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to increase the percentage of female employees in areas where they are under-represented. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. Furthermore, we are also committed to employ more individuals with disabilities, and therefore actively encourage them to apply. Candidates should send their formal application to BMM.Recruitment@mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de with the key word “FEL applications” given in the subject line. Informal inquires are welcome (Ilme.Schlichting@mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de).
The e-mail should contain a single Portable Document File (PDF) including
- a brief letter, preferably indicating which area of research would be preferred
- a Curriculum Vitae
- a full list of publications (if applicable)
- a description of past and present research activities (max 1 page) and names and addresses of referees (one for Ph.D. / two for postdoctoral applicants).
