We are seeking a Ph.D. student for a project to discover and understand structured RNAs in plants. The position is in the research group of bioinformatician Dr. Zasha Weinberg (https://zashaweinberglab.org) at Leipzig University, and is a collaboration with Prof. Andreas Wachter (https://mps-imp.biologie.uni-mainz.de), whose lab studies plant biology at the University of Mainz.
The last 20 years have seen a revolution in our understanding of the impact and versatility of non-coding and cis-regulatory RNAs in biology, i.e., RNAs that do not function as a simple messenger. Our goal is to develop novel bioinformatics approaches to find new types of plant RNAs, and to study these RNAs to better understand plant biology, especially alternative splicing. Your role will be to design and program new computational methods, analyze the resulting predictions from a bioinformatic and biological perspective and interact with the Wachter lab.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in bioinformatics or a related discipline before beginning the Ph.D.
- Proficiency with UNIX and a scripting language, e.g., Python or Perl. Proficiency with relational databases or C/C++ would be a plus.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong background in bioinformatics, and solid knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry.
- Interest in solving biological problems using computational approaches, and enthusiasm for basic science.
DATES / TIMES / FUNDING
- Ideal start date is March 2021, but start date is flexible
- Salary is based on the TV-L pay rates, level E13, at 65\%.
- The position is expected to run for 3 years, and is funded for this duration by the DFG (German Research Foundation).
HOW TO APPLY OR GET MORE INFORMATION
Questions should be sent to Zasha Weinberg at zasha@bioinf.uni-leipzig.de. Application instructions are at https://zashaweinberglab.org/jobs-thesis. Applications will be evaluated as they are received.
THE ENVIRONMENT
You will be advised by Dr. Zasha Weinberg, as part of the larger bioinformatics group of Prof. Peter Stadler at Leipzig University. The group is international and has a friendly working atmosphere, with a diverse range of research interests represented, especially those related to RNA. Moreover, the project will involve frequent interaction with Prof. Wachter’s lab, to coordinate computational strategies and wet-lab experiments.
Leipzig is a pleasant and affordable city, with lots of art and culture. In fact, it’s the fastest-growing city in Germany (e.g., http://goo.gl/aPrpC9).
Zasha Weinberg lab 