Master thesis/MD thesis: Optimizing engineered AAV vectors for gene therapy in lymphocytes in Hamburg bei Leibniz Institut für Virologie

Leibniz-Institut für Virologie

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.

We are looking for a highly motivated and team-oriented Master student (f/m/x) in Molecular Life Sciences, Molecular Biology or related fields

Your tasks

Project overview:
The BMBF research group (headed by Dr. Ulrike Lange) invites applications from highly motivated Masters students to join our team at the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) in Hamburg. The research group focuses on the biology of human endogenous and exogenous retroviruses and on development of approaches to control retroviral infections. In this context we have recently generated advanced AAV gene therapy vectors for primary HIV-1 target cells using a nanobody engineering approach (Hamann et al., 2021, PLoS ONE). The project will focus on expanding this work and optimizing engineered AAV-based vectors for in vivo gene therapy in different immune cell subsets. It will involve experimental techniques such as molecular cloning, AAV-production, cell culture and transduction of different cell lines and primary human immune cells, flow cytometry and quantitative PCR amongst other.

Your profile

• highly motivated and team-oriented Master student (f/m/x) in Molecular Life Sciences, Molecular Biology or related fields
• full-time commitment to the project (expected length approx. 10-12 months)
• very good English language skills (oral and written)
• previous laboratory experience in molecular biology and cell culture techniques is a plus

What we offer

• an exciting research project with a broad range of experimental techniques
• close supervision of the project
• an international research environment with excellent technical facilities at LIV
• possibility to take up HiWi position

The LIV is certified with the Total Equality distinction, and promotes work-life balance and professional equality between all genders. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration if their suitability, qualifications, and professional performance are otherwise equal.

Applications should include a cover letter, indicating motivation and earliest possible starting date, a CV, a short description of previous experiences in bioinformatics including skills, and contacts for two references. The position is to be filled as soon as possible. Please submit your application solely via the button Online application.

Contact:
Dr. Martin Hamann (martin.hamann@leibniz-liv.de)

Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) | Martinistraße 52 (N63) | 20251 Hamburg |