Ref2113: PhD student or PostDoc for MS-Crosslinking

Our Group

The Protein Chemistry Facility aims to develop new and powerful methods to increase sensitivity in protein identification, accuracy and precision of protein quantification or post-translational modification detection. Furthermore, we establish comprehensive strategies in the field of crosslinking mass spectrometry (XL - MS) ranging from sample preparation to optimization of data acquisition, data analysis and validation.

The Project

Understanding the complex and dynamic interplay of proteins within an organism is one of the most challenging questions in the field of life sciences. Cross-linking mass spectrometry has recently emerged as powerful tool to investigate protein interaction topologies in situ. By freezing interactions in their native environment, this technique is evolving to the method of choice to study especially transient protein interactions or investigate dynamic changes of protein-complex topologies with minimum interference.

Within this challenging, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative project, we will develop novel affinity enrichable cross-linkers (collaboration Maulide group/ University of Vienna). Thereby novel affinity tags and enrichment workflows with outstanding sensitivity and selectivity shall be implemented. In collaboration with the Dorfer group / University of Applied Sciences Hagenberg, universal search algorithms to maximize reliable cross-link peptide identification are to be implemented and benchmarked. The holistic workflow will finally be applied in situ to investigate the heterochromatin interactome. Our lab is well equipped with the latest generation of high-resolution mass spectrometer (4 x Exploris including FAIMS, 1 x Eclipse-Tribrid including FAIMS, 1 x timsTOF, 1 x Water Synapt G2).

The Candidate

The successful candidate should hold a MSc or PhD degree in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry or a related field. Candidates with a strong background in protein chemistry and mass spectrometry will be preferred. Curiosity, creativity, and fluent English skills are expected! If you are passionate and excited to advance your scientific career in an outstanding research environment, you’re the one!

The proposed project is scheduled to be completed within 3 years and is fully financed by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary according to the FWF guidelines.

Our Environment

We provide an unparalleled training opportunity with world-class support at the group-, institute-, and campus-level. The Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP) is a world-class research institute embedded in the vibrant environment of the Vienna biocentre that provides outstanding support and excellent social benefits.

Applications with a cover letter, CV, and the names of your referees should be sent to [email protected] . The position is available from October 2021 and remains open until it is filled.

Related Publications Beveridge et al. Nat Commun. 2020, Matzinger et al. J. Proteome Res. 2020;

Pirklbauer et al., J. Proteome Res. 2021

Additional information https://cores.imp.ac.at/protein-chemistry/ ; www.viennabiocenter.org