Job Offer from April 08, 2022
A Postdoctoral Position on biochemical and structural analyses of epigenetic complexes (m/f/d) is available in the lab of Dr. Asifa Akhtar (Department of Chromatin Regulation) at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg. The Akhtar lab uses a combination of Drosophila and mouse models to investigate regulation by histone acetylation and non-coding RNA. This position is open immediately and initially funded for two years, with the possibility of extension.
The histone acetyltransferase MOF can associate with two complexes: the NSL complex and the MSL complex. Each of these complexes is an important and conserved epigenetic regulator with distinct gene targets. We are interested in using biochemical techniques to gain mechanistic insights into their function, including understanding how the individual components of the complexes interact with each other and how they choose their cromatin target.
Our past work provided pioneering structural characterization of the NSL and MSL complexes. Our crystal structures of mouse MSL1 with MOF and MSL3 as well as of MSL1 with MSL2 have proven invaluable in pinpointing essential amino acids at interaction interfaces within the MSL complex Hallacli et al., 2012; Kadlec et al., 2011). Our structural analyses of the NSL complex also enabled us to map the interaction between NSL1 and WDS/WDR5, which when disrupted impairs chromatin targeting of the entire NSL complex (Dias et al., 2014).
We are looking for an independent, creative and highly motivated post-doctoral scientist interested in exploring the function of the MSL and/or NSL complex from a biochemical perspective. For this we seek applicants with a strong background in experimental work in protein structure and function analysis.
Located in a region that connects Germany, France and Switzerland, our institute offers an international research environment with outstanding infrastructure facilities and a positive working atmosphere that places a high value on work-life balance.
We value and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, so we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from severely disabled people. We would also like to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.
Have we sparked your interest? Please apply with your complete application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae) including a statement of research interests via our online applicant portal by May 6th, 2022. At the same time, please ask three of your referees to send recommendation letters to akhtarassistant@ie-freiburg.mpg.de.
Max Planck Institute for
Immunobiology and Epigenetics
Stübeweg 51
79108 Freiburg
Germany