Post-doctoral Fellow in Immunology or Genetics : Vienna, Austria

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join the research group led by Kaan Boztug at the CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The focus of our group is to understand molecular mechanisms governing the human immune system by discovering disease-causing gene mutations, studying their respective pathomechanisms, and using that knowledge for development of targeted treatment options. Our research is supported by prestigious grants incl. the START Prize of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), and a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC StG) awarded to Kaan Boztug. 
The successful candidate would join one of several projects available:

Project 1: Deciphering the molecular basis of autoimmunity and autoinflammation

Due to their heterogeneity and prevalence, autoimmune diseases pose a major health problem to modern societies. The underlying molecular mechanisms are often complex, involving contributions of multiple genetic and environmental factors, precluding mechanistic understanding. A considerable number of inherited defects of the human immune system (so-termed “primary immunodeficiencies”, PIDs) are characterized by autoimmunity or autoinflammation, thus representing unique models to identify new essential components of the immune system and study their role in the identified pathological state. We have recently identified several novel disease-causing genes in patients with model autoimmune disorders such as early-onset IBD(Glocker*, Kotlarz*, Boztug* et al NEJM 2009; Salzer et al JACI 2014) and early-onset SLE-like diseases (Salzer*, Santos-Valente* et al Blood 2013). This exciting project aims at identifying novel genes within a patient cohort of genetically undiagnosed autoimmune disorders by a variety of biochemical, immunological and imaging technologies to obtain molecular gene-to-phenotype relationships. Functional proteomics will be used to mine, uncover and pathway-map gene defects underlying inherited disorders of the immune system with predominant autoimmunity/autoinflammation.

Project 2: Identifying and understanding novel types of combined immunodeficiency

Combined immunodeficiencies (CIDs) comprise a large proportion of primary immunodeficiencies. They are a heterogeneous group of immune disorders characterized by defects in number and/or function of T-cell populations often accompanied by aberrations in other components of the immune system, including humoral and cell-mediated immunity. To date many CID etiologies still remain undefined, precluding precise treatment recommendations. Recently our group has significantly contributed to the field by a discovery and detailed molecular description of novel types of combined immunodeficiency affecting NF-kappaB signaling pathway and cellular motility, respectively (Willmann*, Klaver* et al Nat Commun 2014; Dobbs*, Dominguez-Conde* et al NEJM 2015). The proposed project will aim to identify novel genes using NGS technology to discover additional cellular pathways underlying CIDs on an ever-growing cohort of patient samples present in the lab. Using a spectrum of biochemical, imaging, proteomic and immunological approaches the candidate will broaden our insight into molecular pathways underlying the disease.

Project 3: Dissecting molecular pathomechanisms of PIDs using small molecule and haploid genetic screens

The translational value of research on PIDs lies in the ability to develop mechanism-based tailored treatment options often hindered by lack of knowledge about molecular pathways underlying the disease. The candidate will develop hypothesis-driven early drug discovery research for few carefully selected PID targets by performing genetic and small molecule screens using the state-of-the-art haploid cell and chemical screening platforms combined with a comprehensive drug library, all available in house (in collaboration with CeMM PI Stefan Kubicek; e.g. Winter et al Nat Chem Biol 2014; Jae et al Science 2014). The screens will enable discovery of new components of the molecular pathways underlying the disease, as well as provide milestones for further development of targeted treatment options potentially amenable to broad spectrum of immune disorders with similar phenotype and/or molecular pathway aberrations by partnering with biotech and/or pharmaceutical companies.

The Lab Infrastructure
A fully equipped molecular biology laboratory in a shared environment with cell culture and multi-color flow cytometry on the same floor within a brand new building. All equipment needed for state-of-the art genomic investigations such as SNP arrays and deep sequencing are immediately accessible on the same floor of the building. The group is embedded in a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative systems biology/molecular medicine research environment providing access to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, automated chemical biological screening platform and animal facilities, including BSL2 suites.

Your Requirements & Application
The candidate should be a proactive independent thinker with a strong background in one or more of the following disciplines: Immunology, Genetics, Medicine or Molecular Biology, and need to hold a PhD (respectively DVM/MD or equivalent) degree. The ideal candidate will have an excellent work ethic and very good communication skills. Enthusiasm, self-motivation, creativity as well as a proactive approach to solving problems and developing new ideas are highly desirable. We are looking for a candidate who is able to connect different scientific disciplines and think outside the box. The candidate should have at least one first author paper in a high impact factor journal (IF>10).
 

Join CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in its wonderful, new building in the middle of the Medical University campus in Vienna. According to a study by “The Scientist”, CeMM is one of the best places in the world to do a postdoc and it is one of the Best Places to Work in Academia 2012 worldwide. Vienna,
located in the heart of Europe, has been consistently ranked among the 3 best places to live worldwide.

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