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Your tasks:

+--------------------------------+
| Background of the project: |
| This position is integrated |
| in the research consortium |
| PERCOLATE. The overall aim |
| of PERCOLATE is to establish |
| a rapid and easy-to-use |
| diagnostic test panel, based |
| on detection of functional |
| autoantibodies targeting |
| G-protein coupled receptors |
| (GPCR-fAAb) in combination |
| with GPCR-fAAb mediated |
| ischaemia-reperfusion |
| parameters, accompanied by |
| profiling of immune cells |
| and viral reactivation in |
| patients with Long-COVID (LC) |
| and Post-Vaccination Syndrome |
| (Post-VAC) for a personalized |
| patients’ stratification and |
| care. Your task will be to |
| develop alternative methods |
| to the assay by Wallukat et |
| al., in which primary rat |
| cardiomyocytes were used, to |
| detect the functional active |
| GPCR-AAbs from patients’ |
| sera (~300 samples). Examples |
| of assays are genetically |
| encoded reporter lines or |
| visualization of receptor |
| internalization. The cell |
| system has to be a human |
| system like hiPSC-derived |
| cardiomyocytes but could |
| also be a human standard cell |
| line. In addition, we expect |
| the development of a research |
| project aiming at a better |
| mechanistic understanding of |
| the disease with the focus of |
| the role of autoantibodies (or |
| alternatively a focus that the |
| applicant has experience in; |
| e.g., immune cells). |
+--------------------------------+

Essential experience/qualifications:

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral candidate with a PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering or similar and a strong background in cell and molecular biology with experience in life cell imaging, hiPSCs/hiPSC-cardiomyocytes, autoantibodies, and/or GPCR biology to join our team. Very good English language skills are mandatory.

Additionally beneficial are:

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral candidate with a PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering or similar and a strong background in cell and molecular biology with experience in life cell imaging, hiPSCs/hiPSC-cardiomyocytes, autoantibodies, and/or GPCR biology to join our team. Very good English language skills are mandatory.

Comments:

- Funding: The project is funded by the Ministry of Health. Salary: E13, 100% for 2 years with possible extension (funded until 31.12.2028).
- The position is temporary for 2 years
- The position is full-time
- The starting date is as soon as possible
- Deadline for applications: 30.04.2026

We offer:

- International team of around 5 postdocs, 10 PhD students and 5 technicians
- Very well-equipped laboratory (several cell culture hoods, epifluorescence and confocal microscopes, everything needed for cell and molecular biology, 3D bioprinters, zebrafish, mouse, rat facilities, and so on).
- Weekly lab meeting and journal club
- Monthly “private meeting with Felix”
- Part of the Translational Research Center embedded in several other institutes including the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine.
- Access to significant funds for consumables
- Opportunity to write own internal grants (technician position plus consumables) to gain experience in grant writing and to improve the CV.
- Laboratory is located in the city center.
- A secure, interesting position as part of a motivated, open team
- A thorough and qualified induction, and support in your new challenge.
- Varied and responsible tasks with individual opportunities to grow and develop as a professional
- A wide range of services for promoting a healthy lifestyle
- All public service benefits, including supplementary benefits from the Federal and State
- Government Pension Fund (VBL).
- A family friendly environment and, if applicable, places in University accommodation
- Professional experience can be taken into account when calculating total period of employment

Further information:

Prof. Felix B. Engel
Telefon: -35659

Applications:

Nephropatholgische Abteilung
Prof. Felix B. Engel
Telefon: -35659
E-Mail: felix.engel@uk-erlangen.de
Please provide: CV, Letter of Motivation, Letters of Recommendation, Short proposal regarding your approach to detect functional autoantibodies and a „mechanistic project“(max. 2 pages, not generated by AI).