Master Thesis - Transport Processes in Corynebacterium Glutamicum
As a leading research institution for microbial biotechnology, the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG-1) focuses on molecular and applied microbiology. Interdisciplinary teams are developing biotechnological processes for tomorrow’s industry, with a focus on increasingly automated and miniaturised experiments.
The goal of our work is to use microorganisms for the biotechnological production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and proteins from renewable raw materials. This approach is crucial for establishing a circular economy and reducing our dependence on fossil resources. Our research focuses on selected microbial cell factories, whose metabolism and regulatory networks we characterize in detail as a prerequisite for the development of highly efficient production strains. For our work, we employ state-of-the-art methods, such as next-generation sequencing, RNA-Seq, proteomics, adaptive laboratory evolution, and approaches from the field of synthetic biology.
Your Job
Corynebacterium glutamicum is one of the most important production organisms and a model organism in industrial biotechnology. As part of an interdisciplinary DFG-ANR-funded collaborative project with the University of Kiel and the Institut Pasteur in Paris, an important hub of the central metabolism of C. glutamicum is to be characterized using molecular genetic and biochemical methods. Specifically, the focus is on identifying and characterizing new transport processes that are significant for both the production of biotechnological products and signal transduction.
In this context, your responsibilities will include, among other things:
- Careful planning, execution, and documentation of molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry experiments
- Presentation of results at group and department seminars
- Writing a master’s thesis and contributing to scientific publications
Your Profile
- Currently pursuing a master’s degree in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related discipline
- Very good knowledge of microbiology, protein biochemistry, or molecular biology
- Enjoyment of laboratory work and independent scientific research
- Reliability, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams
- Good written and spoken English
Additional desirable qualifications:
- Experience with the cultivation of microorganisms, cloning, and the genetic modification of microorganisms
- Knowledge of the physiology and metabolism of microorganisms
- Knowledge of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory processes in bacteria
Our Benefits for You
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:
- Meaningful Tasks: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
- Practical relevance: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
- Scientific environment: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
- Personal responsibility: You organize your tasks independently — from preparation to implementation
- Onboarding & teamwork: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
- Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options—you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view
- Perspective: If you have the appropriate qualifications and funding is available, the institute offers the opportunity to do your PhD after completing your master's thesis
- Fair remuneration: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis
In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey
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