Technical Assistant (f/m/d)
- Research group
- Viral Immunology
- Hiring date
- As soon as possible.
- Time limit
- The contract will initially run until 30.04.2029 but we are looking for long-term cooperation, regardless of whether full-time or part-time.
- Trial period
- 6 Months
- Payment
- E 9a TVöD Bund
- Application deadline
- 05/12/2024
As a member of the Helmholtz Association, the HZI, Germany's largest non-university infection research center, conducts cutting-edge research in the field of infectious diseases. Our scientists develop novel methods and strategies to fight infectious diseases faster and more effectively. Our common goal is to develop novel approaches to prevention, diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases. Bacterial and viral pathogens, their interplay with the human immune system and new effective agents and vaccines are the focus of our research.
The Laboratory of Transmission Immunology is a new Young Investigator Research Group established in 2024 and supervised by the Department of Viral Immunology. This group focuses on the exciting new frontier of viral transmission immunology. Over the past decades, it has become evident that pathogens such as SARS-COV-2, which has caused the airborne COVID-19 pandemic, or Mpox, the cause of ongoing sexually transmitted Mpox disease, are emerging and that our understanding of how the human immune system influences the transmission is minimal. The group tackles why some viruses readily transmit while others do not design improved transmission mitigation strategies and increase our pandemic preparedness. The group wants to understand what hinders viruses from transmitting while in the human host and while in the environment.
Therefore, the work has the following distinguishing features:
- Expertise driven: Interdisciplinary in vitro, ex vivo. and in vivo work
- Holistic approach: Combing aerobiology with immunology and virus ecology
- Creative thinking: Establishment of novel technologies and methodologies to address unique questions
The group is part of the Department of Viral Immunology. It works closely with researchers in the Department of Viral Immunology and the Twincore in Hannover, focusing on respiratory and mucosal disease manifestations.
Tasks
- Planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex laboratory experiments at BSL-2 and BSL-3 levels, in particular, the infection of cells with viruses and in vivo infections of model animal species
- Laboratory organization
- Usage, cleaning, and maintenance of technically complex lab equipment
- Development, error search, and improvement of methodologies
- Guiding undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and guest scientists in their practical work
Prerequisites
- Completed technical biological or medical assistant training or equivalent
- Experienced in cell culture of mammalian origin
- Experienced in three technical areas out of these:
- Virus culture and growth
- In vivo work with rodents
- Analysis of the adaptive immune response (E.g., flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, Luminex)
- Nucleic acids extraction and qRT-PCR
- Protein extractions and Western Blots or Mass-Spec
- Aerobiology or Virus stability
- Cell culture of respiratory or mucous organoids/primary cells
- Very good (fluid) language skills in spoken and written German and English
Advantageous for this position:
- Experience with mouse or hamster work
- Experience with laboratory level 3 work
- Presentation skills (PowerPoint)
- Coding skills (R, R Studio)
- Experience in working in a team
- Interest in troubleshooting and innovative solution-finding
- Motivation to have ownership and responsibility for the research results
Working hours
39 hours per week
We offer you:
- An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment at the Science Campus South in Braunschweig
- A state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technologies
- Flexible working hours with the possibility for home office
- A corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities
- Extensive training and continuing education opportunities to develop professional knowledge and personal skills
- A family office to support family and career as well as childcare offers
- Interesting additional public service benefits
- Possible subsidy of the job-ticket
People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.
The HZI strives for professional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
How to apply:
When sending us your application documents, please confirm that you have read our privacy policy and that you agree to the processing of your personal data. Please use the text module in our privacy policy for this purpose. Without these declarations we cannot consider or process your application and will immediately delete any application documents already received after the application deadline.
Please include a cover letter, resume, (employment) references, certificates, and (if available) work samples or reference projects with your application materials. Please refrain from sending a photo.
Please send your complete application, quoting the reference number 046/2024, to the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH, Human Resources Department, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany or by e-mail. If you send your application in electronic form, please provide a summary in one single (1) pdf document.
We look forward to receiving your application!
