Biologist (f/m/x)

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Job description

Postdoc Position (f/m/x) Role of Transposable Elements in Shaping Immune Responses in HIV-1 Infection The Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) is an independent research institution for basic biomedical research. As a foundation under civil law and member of the Leibniz Association, the Institute occupies a leading position both nationally and internationally. The BMBF research group "Genomics of Retroviral Infection", headed by Dr. Ulrike Lange, focuses on the biology of human exogenous and endogenous retroviruses and on development of approaches to control retroviral infections. The group uses a wide range of experimental methods combined with computational biology approaches to address research questions that span from basic to translational science. In recent work, we have characterized the signature of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) activity at locus-level resolution in primary T cells (Hamann et al., 2023, BMC Medical Genomics). We are currently actively exploring how this signature is impacted upon in HIV-1 infection, which has been reported to induce global HERV activation. The project will focus on functional studies to dissect HERV-regulated or -modulated pathways in infected and bystander CD4 T cells, to better understand how transposable elements are shaping immune responses in HIV-1 infection. The project will involve experimental laboratory work, including a range of molecular biology techniques, genetic engineering / KD / KO studies in primary T cells and generation and analysis of transcriptomics and epigenomics datasets amongst other. We are looking for a highly motivated, ambitious, and team-oriented candidate for a postdoc position (f/m/x) - the role of transposable elements in shaping immune responses in HIV-1 infection. Conducting and shaping a research project on the topic of TEs in HIV-1 infection Working as independent researcher with accountability towards the research project Integrating into the research team and providing support for junior members / students Presenting research findings at national and international level Developing future research projects and draft manuscripts Solid expertise in human immunology and experimental laboratory work Expertise in transposable element biology and HIV-1 virology is an asset but not required Strong commitment, team spirit, very good communication and organizational skills, and ability to work in an independent and flexible manner PhD degree in the life sciences Very good English language skills (oral and written) Working as part of a highly motivated team in a state-of-the-art, international research environment with excellent core facilities Remuneration according to E 13 TV-AVH (Hamburg Employment Law Association Collective Agreement, comparable to TVöD Civil Service Collective Agreement ), including company pension scheme and 30 days of annual vacation Further training opportunities, including subsidized English and German courses at the institute Health protection offers at the institute (in cooperation with voiio GmbH) Flexible, family-friendly working hours HVV-Deutschlandticket subsidy Canteen use subsidy The position is initially limited for two years with starting date in the 1st quartile of 2025. The LIV is certified with the TOTAL E-QUALITY distinction and promotes work-life balance and professional equality between employees of all gender and genders. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration if their suitability, qualifications, and professional performance are otherwise equal.

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