Research Explorer Ruhr: Hosts and Application
Natural and Life Sciences
How to apply
Here you find the profiles of the participating professors in the Natural and Life Sciences. This list is constantly updated. You can conveniently apply directly at the end of each profile: please download and fill in the application form and send it to us via e-mail (use the blue button at the end of the PDF form) by 28 February 2023. Please keep in mind to attach your CV and a publication list to the e-mail.
Note: The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is suffering from the after-effects of a cyber-attack. Therefore, we are unfortunately unable to publish host profiles of the UDE. The homepages of many UDE chairs and research centers are currently not accessible as usual. If you are already in contact with a UDE professor and would like to participate in the Research Explorer Ruhr, please fill out the application form and submit it as an unsolicited application.
Unsolicited applications
Important note: In case you would like to work with a researcher who has not uploaded a profile, please fill in the application form (PDF) and send it with your academic CV and a publication list to research-explorer@rs.rub.de by 28 February 2023 so that we can get in touch with the respective professor. Do NOT send any kind of application to a professor directly.
Participating Hosts
Biology and Biotechnology:
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology
Chair of Cellular Neurobiology
Research Area:
Probing Synaptic Function and Signaling Proteins – Optical Control and Pharmacology
We use novel, optical approaches to study membrane proteins, in particular to understand how protein complexes assemble and transmit signals across cell membranes.
Our main focus is on glutamate receptor signaling. Glutamate receptors (GluRs) play a key role in the central nervous system, where they pass excitatory signals across synapses and modulate synaptic strength and plasticity.
In our lab, we combine a wide range of state-of-the-art biochemical methods, spectroscopic techniques, live cell imaging and electrophysiology to gain further insight into GluR function and physiology. As part of our toolset, we use chemical photoswitches to manipulate GluRs with light – a method that allows for the precise control of specific receptor complexes with high spatial and temporal precision. At the same time, the engineering of photo-controllable ion channels and GPCRs provides a powerful tool for optogenetic and pharmacological studies.
Candidate Profile:
We are looking forward to host a motivated and independently thinking scientist, who is interested in exploring projects in the areas of chemical biology, cellular signaling, optogenetics, or neurophysiology.
Required is an excellent academic track record with a recent PhD in Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline, as well as a very high motivation to engage in interdisciplinary research and the ability to work in a team. Experimental research experience and very good English skills are mandatory.
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology
Research Group Microbial Biotechnology (MBT)
Research Area:
The MBT Team does work mainly in the field of Industrial Biotechnology towards novel biocatalysts and their application in (bio)synthetic research!
To be more precise, we work in the field of functional annotation of novel biocatalysts and their optimization for fine chemical synthesis. We have expertise and equipment to start with microbiology, (meta)genome studies, gene expression and mutagenesis, protein engineering (directed evolution), protein homology modelling as well as biocatalysis. For the latter, we often combine enzymes with chemical synthesis to establish chemo-enzymatic cascades. Here we have enzyme reactors as well as standard fermenters in routine. Focus we put on various oxidoreductases and their biochemical functionality as well as application. We combine knowledge from microbial degradation of xenobiotics and natural feedstocks with the eco-friendly synthesis of industrially relevant compounds such as drugs, pre-cursors, flavor compounds or polymer precursors.
Candidate Profile:
A respective degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or related discipline is requested. The candidate needs to have experience in molecular biology and microbiology methods, biochemistry or enzymology as well as some analytical chemistry. We are an international group and request team player attributes! Good English language skills are mandatory.
Chemistry and Biochemistry:
Organic Chemistry I
Evonic Chair of Organic Chemistry
Research Area:
- inventing new chemical reactions based on mechanistic considerations
- devising concepts for the selective functionalization of C-C and C-H bonds
- enabling the use of alternative substrates that have inherent advantages with regard to the reduction of salt waste, e.g. carboxylic acids, alcohols, amines
- developing reagents and reactions for late stage fluoroalkylations
- implementing new concepts for the valorization of renewables and of CO2
- gaining an in-depth mechanistic understanding of catalytic reactions with a focus on solvent effects
Candidate Profile:
If you ...
- love chemistry as much as we do
- want to do exciting but sometimes difficult research
- are a skillful organic chemist full of new ideas
- speak both German and English
- are not afraid of computers
- feel the desire to go beyond the well-paved paths of organic synthesis
you might be just the right person for us.
Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chair of Molecular Biochemistry
Research Area:
A fundamental feature of eukaryotic cells is their compartmentalization into distinct organelles by biological membranes. We are interested in revealing organization, functioning and dynamics of membrane transporters and their complexes. To this end, we have developed a variety of biochemical, biophysical and advanced microscopic techniques including the synthesis of specific lipid probes for characterizing membrane properties, protein-membrane interactions and lipid trafficking in fungi, parasites and mammalian cells. Detailed insight into the molecular functioning of membrane transporters will help to understand vital processes at cellular membranes and pave the way for applications within synthetic biology such as personal medicine, sustainable energy production, and molecular bioelectronics.
Candidate Profile:
We would like to support candidates who have or will soon complete a doctoral degree in cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related areas and are interested to work on lipid transporters at the cellular and/or molecular level. Competence in molecular techniques, protein biochemistry or cell biology are important. Expertise in membrane protein purification and reconstitution would be a further asset. Additionally, we are seeking for candidates with a strong interest/expertise in Leishmania parasite cell culture and/or confocal microscopy techniques (FRET, FLIM, TIRF). We expect very good English skills, team spirit and the ability of working independently.
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB)
Organic Chemistry
Hansmann working group
Research Area:
Very recently, our group received an ERC Starting grant from the European Research Council and we are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral researcher. Our group is studying fundamental new organic substance classes based on carbon such as molecules with strongly polarized C–C bonds, or unsaturated diazo compounds and vinylidenes and apply them in main-group, transition metal chemistry and organic synthesis. Applications of C–C bond polarization will be utilized in the stabilization of unsaturated diazo and monosubstituted carbon compounds. Additionally, we are investigating new organic reagents for group transfer and analyze mechanistic questions by different spectroscopic techniques. The research group is very well equipped and has access to state-of-the-art spectroscopic and analytical services. For more information, see: www.ccb.tu-dortmund.de/hansmann
Candidate Profile:
We are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral researcher with experience in organic synthesis and handling air-sensitive compounds. Ideally, the person should have some experience in the fields of main-group chemistry, transition metal chemistry, catalysis or electrochemistry. The candidate will synthesize novel compounds, which are likely to be reactive, or paramagnetic which will be studied in small molecule activation or as reagents in organic synthesis. Knowledge in computational chemistry and/or EPR spectroscopy is helpful, but not required.
Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry
Research Area:
We combine our knowledge in physical chemistry and engineering to study complex multiphase (solid/gas/liquid) catalytic reaction systems stimulated by (solar) light or electrical energy. Moreover, we integrate thermal energy or other stimuli to synergistically improve catalytic performances. Reactions of interest include water oxidation, production of oxidizing chemicals, hydrogen generation, selective alcohol oxidation, oxidative decarboxylation of carboxylic acids and purification of (industrial) waste streams using metal oxides and carbon based compounds.
Candidate Profile:
Candidates hold a doctoral degree in chemistry, material science or a related field. Experience in electrochemistry and/or photoelectrochemistry /photocatalysis, a strong background with demonstrated experience in the synthesis and characterization of materials and knowledge of quantitative analytical chemistry methods are essential
Medicine:
Medical Faculty
Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology
Research Area:
More than 64 million people worldwide suffer from heart failure. The multiple mechanisms that lead to this disease and the factors that promote it are far from being understood. A better understanding of the pathophysiological causes of heart disease is essential to develop new, individualized forms of therapy and treatment methods. However, it is clear that co-morbid conditions drive myocardial remodeling in some heart failure phenotypes such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), promoting a systemic inflammatory state that contributes to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and modulation of diastolic function. Our recent results allowed us to formulate a comprehensive hypothesis describing how inflammation and oxidative stress affect myocardial dysfunction in heart failure (HF).
Our group aims to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying the stiffening of heart tissue that can lead to heart failure. We are using the knowledge gained from our recent discoveries to investigate novel treatment options for the condition. Our work employs a more refined approach than has ever been trialled before, based on an understanding of the variable factors involved in each case of heart failure.
Our recent discoveries involve oxidative stress and inflammation as a paradigm to the development of heart disease. The co-morbidities present with the condition raise levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in the blood and drive inflammation of cardiac vasculature. This disrupts signalling between the endothelial cells that line the small blood vessels within the heart muscle, cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. Changes to any of these properties can be altered in heart disease and contribute to the diastolic stiffness characteristic of HFpEF. The aim of our proposed research is to deepen our basic understanding of heart failure and in particular HFpEF pathophysiology associated with comorbidities, age and sex differences, in order to provide firm foundations for clinical innovation. Our research team together with our national and international collaborators focus on working towards developing these specialised therapeutic approaches.
Candidate Profile:
We are looking for scientists who will join us to uncover the full understanding of the pathophysiology of heart failure and find treatment option of different subgroup patients. We look for someone who has experience in cell cultures, fluorescence/confocal/electron microscopy, molecular biology, protein analysis, protein interactions, biomechanics, in vitro studies, or in vivo studies.