Job Description

A job opening is available in Unit VET3 "Product Testing of Immunological Veterinary Medicinal Products" at the next possible starting date

Research Associate (m/f/d)

About the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

We are a senior federal authority responsible for vaccines and biomedicines that performs scientific research in the field of life sciences. Our institute networks with national and international players which makes it a competent partner for the general public, science, medicine, politics, and economics.

In the VET3 "Product Testing of Immunological Veterinary Medicinal Products" section,

our research is focused on analysing how highly pathogenic viruses interact with the immune system and other pathologically relevant tissues (Ebenig et al. Cell Reports 2022, Nouailles et al. Nat. Microbiol. 2023, Ebenig et al., preprint in ResearchSquare 2024) in vaccinated and unvaccinated animal models. In your role as a Research Associate (m/f/d) within a cooperative project funded by the BMBF, you will seek to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind "Long COVID" symptoms during and after infection with SARS-CoV-2.

• Analysis of COVID infections in the golden hamster model
• Collection of data for such analyses on the deregulation of the transcriptome over the duration of the infection, using methods such as single-cell RNA-Seq
• Directly comparing data to a mouse model and to clinical data
• Taking responsibility for informational exchanges with the cooperation partners
• Publishing and presenting the results to the scientific community

• You have completed a university degree (master's degree or comparable) in biology, biochemistry, human biology or a related course of study with a doctorate
• You have practical experience in general lab work
• Ideally you have practical experience in handling cell cultures as well as virological, immunological or animal testing techniques (FELASA B certificate) in a facility with safety level S2 or higher
• You have good spoken and written English
• You are willing to perform animal experiments and work with infectious pathogens up to safety level S3
• You enjoy and are interested in seeking answers to virological, immunological, and biotechnological questions
• The phrases "team player" and "organisational talent" can be used to describe you
• You are diligent, careful, and work well under pressure

A stable, multifaceted, and challenging position centrally located in the Rhine-Main area (Frankfurt) with good public transport connections (motorways/highways, airport, and fast commuter train). Being an employer in the German public service, we offer the usual social benefits such as annual payment supplement, employer's pension scheme, and special contributions to a particular statutory savings scheme (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen).

The successful candidate (m/f/d) will be employed on a fixed term contract until 31.12.2026. Part-time working is possible in principle. The pay band is E 13 TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst, Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Public Service). The assignment to a pay band is made based on the consideration of your individual professional experience. Disabled candidates (m/f/d) will be given preference if their skills and qualifications are equivalent to those of non-disabled candidates (m/f/d). The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut encourages gender equality and life-work balance, especially in respect to the family. For this purpose, we have various employment models to offer including flexible working hours (different forms of part-time work, flexible working from home, teleworking, no core time), child care facilities, internal and external communication platforms, and various opportunities for further professional training. Our occupational health management policies and Jobticket (subsidized commuter ticket) round off the offer. For more information, please visit our website.

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