Research Center Borstel Leibniz Center for Medicine and Biosciences

www.fz-borstel.de

In the Division of Cellular Allergology a position for a

Post-Doc (w/m)

will be available. The position will be financed for approx. years by the BMBF (Ministry
of Education and Research) within the framework of the program "Alternative methods for animal experiments".

The Division of Cellular Allergology focuses on the identification and molecular characterization of immunmodulatory molecules from parasitic worms and the investigation of their potential use for the therapy and prophylaxis of allergies and autoimmune diseases.

The project„In vitro culture of Schistosoma mansoni – culture dish instead of mammalian host” aims at establishing the complete mammalian part of the life cycle of schistosomes in
vitro. The current culture protocol in this lab allows propagating schistosomula in vitro
up to the adult stage including pairing and deposition of immature eggs. Now, it is
intended to further optimize the culture conditions to obtain fully mature eggs and
release of infective miracidia. In parallel, the technique of cryopreservation of live schistosomes will be optimized along with establishment of a schistosome bank. This will
allow the need-based access to infectious stages of the parasite and render continuous
maintenance of the parasite life cycle in laboratory animals unnecessary. In vitro culture
provides a highly effective tool for parasitological and immunological studies that for
example allows potential anti-schistosomal drugs to be tested by high-throughput procedures.

The project will both save animal lives and improve the cost efficiency ratio for
schistosome research.

Applicants should have a strong background in parasitology, immunology and/or biochemistry.

Experiences and technical skill in the maintenance of parasites and in vitro
culture systems are prerequisites. Candidates should be team workers with a high
degree of commitment and creativity. They should have a good command of English
and should be able to present scientific data in a transparent and competent manner.
Computer knowledge will be an advantage.

The Research Center Borstel supports the employment of disabled person. Person with
disabilities will, with appropriate qualifications and aptitudes, be employed preferentially.
The Research Center Borstel is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged
to apply.

Candidates should submit a CV and two reference letters to: Personnel Office of the
Research Center Borstel (Hilde Pump),

Keyword: PD Dr. Haas, Parkallee 2, 23845 Borstel,
E-mail: personalwesen@fz-borstel.de

In the Department of Rheumatology (Arthritis Unit) of the Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich is now a doctoral thesis on molecular mechanisms of immune regulation at the moment. The project deals with the emergence of regulatory T cells and analysis of the molecular mechanisms of their generation. It is supported by the DFG via the Graduiertenkolleg 1202 (oligonucleotides) at the Klinikum der LMU encouraged. The Arthritis Unit has a 2007 new set of molecular biological research laboratory with spacious work areas and a complete infrastructure for all the work and methods of modern molecular biology laboratories working. The scientific projects of the unit will include Rheumatism by the DFG (Schu 786/8-1 individual applications, Schu 786/2-5, SK59/4-1; Graduiertenkolleg 1202, SFB 571 Mechanisms of auto-immunity) and the industry. As part of the work is to promote interaction with other sub-projects of the graduate program at the site and the active SFBs planned.

Contact:


Prof. Dr. med. Hendrik Schulze-Koops (Hendrik.Schulze-Koops@med.uni-muenchen.de)

Rheumaeinheit, Medizinische Poliklinik, Universität München
Pettenkoferstraße 8a
80336 München

Tel.: 089 5160 3579
Fax: 089 5160 4199,089 5160 4199

The Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases at the University Hospital of Ulm invites applications for a Postdoctoral Position (TV-L, E 13) available in the field of immunology and immunogenetics in psoriasis and inflammatory skin diseases in the laboratory of Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek.

Ulm is located in the southern part of Germany, close to the Alps.
In a highly innovative, dynamic and supporting environment, this position allows individuals interested in polygenic inflammatory skin diseases and immunology to become integrally involved in the investigation of mechanisms underlying polygenic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases, especially including the final Identification of disease modifying genes and how they change the susceptibility and manifestation of psoriasis in
the CD18 hypomorphic mouse model (J Clin Invest 118: 2629, 2008, J Clin Invest 116: 2105, 2006, J Clin Invest 116: 2094, 2006, J Immunol 177: 4612, 2006, J Immunol 171: 5697, 2003).

The laboratory will provide excellent scientific education in a scientifically stimulating environment. We are interested in recruiting self-motivated individuals with a desire to succeed and complement the internationally competitive research activities of the laboratory. Research will include molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, flow cytometry and novel in vivo imaging technologies in close collaboration with other members of the
faculty or external collaboration partners.

Requirements: A strong background in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology or genetics is preferred, but not required. An appreciation for working with small animals is required.

The applicant should start in June/July 2009.

Please contact meinhard.wlaschek@uni-ulm.de for further information.
The University aims to increase the number of women among the faculty staff and therefore
explicitly encourages the application of female scientists.

Please send your application not later than June 14, 2009 to:
Professor Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek
Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases
University Hospital of Ulm
Maienweg 12
89081 Ulm
Germany

Ulm University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.