Conducting research for a

changing society: This is what

drives us at Forschungs-
zentrum Jülich. As a member of
the Helmholtz Association, we
aim to tackle the grand societal
challenges of our time and
conduct research into the
possibilities of a digitized
Platzhalter society, a climate-friendly
energy system, and a
resource-efficient economy.
Work together with around
6,800 employees in one of
Europe’s biggest research
centres and help us to shape
change!

The Ernst Ruska Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at
Forschungszentrum Jülich is one of the world-leading electron microscopy centres
with more than 15 electron microscopes. The Structural Biology division of the ER-C
investigates the structural and molecular mechanism of membrane biology and
pushes the development of cryo-EM related methodology. At the ER-C-3 (
http://www.fz-juelich.de/er-c/er-c-3 ), we use a comprehensive electron microscopy
approach to study the biological structures of membrane-associated protein
complexes. Our main methods of investigation are single-particle electron
cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) as well electron cryo-tomography (cryo-ET) that we are
also developing to advance existing imaging technologies towards high-resolution
structural biology.

We are looking to recruit a

We look forward to receiving

PhD Position - Cryo-EM Image Analysis your application until

of Sars-CoV-2 Virus-Host Membrane 19.08.2021 via our

Online-Recruitment-
Interactions System!
Questions about the
vacancy?
Your Job: Get in touch with us by using
As a PhD student you will work on cryo-EM studies of virus-host membrane interactions our contact form.
at the ER-C-3 in the field of Structural Biology at Forschungszentrum Jülich with a Please note that for technical
particular focus on advanced image data analysis methods. The ongoing COVID-19 reasons we cannot accept
pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has major global impact on human society, economy applications via email.
and daily life. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear, but most www.fz-juelich.de
likely results from both a direct cytopathic effect of the virus and a pathogenic
inflammation-dominated immune response. To gain knowledge about the virological and
immunological drivers of COVID-19 pathogenesis and the parameters of immune
protection, we united experts from 7 Helmholtz Centers in 4 Helmholtz Research Fields
(Health, Environment, Information and Aeronautics, Space & Transport) and 3 university
partners across Germany, to create an internationally visible and interdisciplinary
network called CoViPa, in which the successful candidates will be embedded. Your tasks
include:
• Work on high-resolution cryo-EM structure determination of in situ cellular samples
using correlative light and electron microscopy approaches.
• Use and develop cryo-EM image processing methods to determine the 3D structures
of biological macromolecules in cells.
• Employ novel imaging approaches and apply computational methods of pattern
recognition, artificial intelligence and deep learning to improve in situ 3D
reconstruction, segmentation and molecular map interpretation methods.

Your Profile:
• Master`s degree in (bio)informatics, (bio)physics or related field.
• Strong skills in scientific data analysis using mathematical script routines.
• Familiarity with the Unix operating system is required.
• Prior knowledge in programming will be a plus and experience in open-source
software development is of great advantage.
• Knowledge of machine learning methods will be beneficial.
• Strong communication skills in English and ability to work in an international and
interdisciplinary team.

Our Offer:
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the
chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to
complete your doctoral degree:
• The Chance to work at one of the largest research centers in Germany, with
excellent scientific equipment and leading European computational resources,
located on a green campus, and near the cultural centers Köln, Düsseldorf, and
Aachen. The Jülich campus also hosts a vibrant biophysics, bioinformatics and
structural biology community.
• Direct access to high-level cryo-EM infrastructure at the Ernst-Ruska Centre. The
facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes and FIB-SEMs of
ThermoFisher Titan Krios, Talos Arctica and Aquilos 2.
• Access to outstanding wet-lab laboratories at the host institute and to the partner
laboratories of the CoViPa consortium.
• Working in a dynamic team of researchers with backgrounds in different disciplines
across biology, chemistry, physics and informatics to advance cryo-EM methods
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for
networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of
training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking
opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for
Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International
Advisory Service

The position is initially for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 50 % of pay group 13
of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of
a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Pay higher than the basic pay
may be possible. Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich
including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment

relations.
We also welcome applications from disabled persons.