Doctoral Researcher in Saarbrücken bei Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH

Job advertisement no. 197/2023

The junior research group Microbiota-Associated Natural Products led by Dr. Julian Hegemann, at the

Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) in Saarbrücken, is offering a position as

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) for the project

“Generation of New-to-Nature Lasso Peptides”

The Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) researches new active ingredients

against infectious diseases. It was founded in August 2009 as a branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection

Research (HZI) in Braunschweig together with Saarland University. A new research building was moved

into on the campus of Saarland University in 2015. Currently, 260 employees of international origin work at

the institute, which is still under construction. The HIPS is the first publicly funded non-university research

institution in Germany explicitly dedicated to pharmaceutical research. The institute cooperates with

international and national research institutions and industrial companies.

The research group Microbiota-Associated Natural Products is focusing on the identification, isolation,

characterization, and study of specific RiPP natural products produced from commensal or pathogenic

bacteria. We are especially interested in new bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties that

can be used as potential drug leads for the development of novel anti-infectives and elucidating their

roles in their native environments.

This project revolves around the investigation and optimization of the stability and antimicrobial

properties of natural products belonging to the class of lasso peptides. In addition, bioengineering

strategies will be employed to install new functionalities in these lasso peptide scaffolds and to generate

conjugates with other antimicrobial molecules. The goals of this research project are to perform

structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies on the compounds and improving their stability under

physiological conditions to enhance their potential for the development of novel therapeutics. This

project will be carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of Prof. John Chu from the National Taiwan

University. Joint meetings with the collaboration partners are planned to take place both in Germany

and in Taiwan on an alternating basis.

Responsibilities:

Ability to manage and conduct a natural product-based research project

Establishing and modifying heterologous production systems for natural products using molecular

cloning and mutagenesis methods, cultivation screens for production optimization

Extraction, purification, and characterization of natural products using HPLC- and MS-based

techniques

Carrying out antimicrobial activity, proteolytic stability, transcription inhibition, and protein binding

assays

Structure elucidation of peptides

Scientific writing (scientific publications, patents, and presentations)

Requirements:

Completed scientific university studies in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, or any other relevant field

(master's degree or equivalent).

Professional experience in biochemical, molecular and/or microbiological work procedures

Willingness to work independently in a goal-oriented manner in a collegial, international, and

interdisciplinary environment

Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Very good skills in scientific writing

Advantageous for this position:

Experience in natural product isolation, characterization, and/or analysis

Experience in HPLC purification and (LC-)MS analysis

Experiences in basic organic chemistry work procedures

Experiences in NMR spectroscopy

We offer you:

challenging and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment

modern laboratories and state-of-the-art instrumentation

extensive further training opportunities and the opportunity to enroll in a structured PhD program

unique network of excellent partners to support your research endeavors

30 days vacation (24.12. & 31.12. are considered as completely free days)

an annual additional payment (Weihnachtsgeld) analogue to § 20 TVöD

social security included

flexible working hours and workplace design

a corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities

Support for a better balance between work and private life through our f