The Institute of Virology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with the Proteomics Core Facility, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join our research team. This position focuses on mass spectrometry-based multi-omics analysis in the field of virus-host interactions.

The position is initially funded for two years, with the possibility of extension based on secured funding from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

Your Role
You will be part of an enthusiastic research team investigating antiviral immunity and virus-host interactions through multi-omics analysis of infected cells, tissues, ex-vivo organs, and biological fluids. Our goal is to uncover fundamental principles of cell-intrinsic antiviral immunity and identify host factors that can serve as potential therapeutic targets.

As the primary expert in proteomics analysis, you will play a key role in the laboratory, leading research projects and driving innovations in mass spectrometry-based proteomics.

Key Responsibilities
• Investigate the effects of type-I interferons and virus infections on cells and tissues using advanced LC-MS/MS systems.
• Maintain and optimize modern liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) instrumentation.
• Develop and implement state-of-the-art proteomics technologies, including:
 o High-throughput proteomics
 o Low-input protein MS analysis
 o Spatial proteomics and deep visual proteomics (DVP)
 o Post-translational modification (PTM) analysis
• Work closely with the Proteomics Core Facility to ensure cutting-edge mass spectrometry workflows.

Your Profile
• PhD in biochemistry, biotechnology, engineering, cell biology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in LC-MS/MS operation, maintenance, and data analysis.
• Strong background in MS-based proteomics data analysis and familiarity with modern computational tools.
• Additional experience in high-throughput proteomics, low-input proteomics, DVP, image analysis, and laser dissection microscopy is a plus.
• Familiarity with clinical proteomics is advantageous.
• Strong teamwork, enthusiasm for proteomics research, and excellent communication skills are essential.

What We Offer
• Full-time position based on the TV-L E13 pay scale (adjusted for prior experience).
• Initial funding for two years, with planned extension.
• Involvement in cutting-edge research at the forefront of antiviral immunity and virus-host interactions.
• Collaborative and international research environment.
• Access to state-of-the-art proteomics facilities, including a well-equipped mass spectrometry and computational infrastructure.
• Work in Munich, one of the most liveable and vibrant cities in the world.

Application Process
To apply, please email your application as a single PDF file with the subject line “MS-Proteomics” to Tatjana Polat (tatjana.polat@tum.de) by March 31, 2025.

Your application should include:
1. Motivation letter highlighting your qualifications and research interests.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a list of publications.
3. Contact information for two referees.

Contact for Further Inquiries
For additional questions, please reach out to:
Prof. Andreas Pichlmair (andreas.pichlmair@tum.de)

More information about our research can be found on this site, and the homepage of Proteomics Facility – Translational Medicine.

The Pichlmair Lab at the Institute of Virology of the Technical University of Munich is recruiting two postdoctoral fellows for 2-year positions to pursue the characterization of a novel mRNA-based broad-spectrum antiviral treatment approach in close collaboration with our industry partner ETHRIS.

The EU-funded project focuses on a first-in-class, clinical-phase II drug that is based on formulated mRNA encoding interferon-λ. The drug has been shown to broadly activate innate immune responses in the mucosa and to potently reduce the replication of respiratory viruses and associated mortality in vitro and in vivo (Macht, Huang, Reinert et al, 2024). We will study the drug’s potential to serve as a broadly active antiviral remedy to protect against a spectrum of viruses in vitro and in pre-clinical mouse models.

The postdoctoral fellows will characterize the effectiveness of this drug against a wide range of epidemic and pandemic viruses of concern, including respiratory, hepatotropic, and contact-transmitted viruses, to assess its broad-spectrum antiviral activity. You will assess the antiviral efficacy of IFN-λ mRNA in cell lines and primary cells using state-of-the-art live cell imaging and targeted sequencing approaches (position 1). You will characterize the antiviral drug-induced immune response in vivo, as well as its preventative or post-exposure potential (position 2). The preferred start date is in Spring 2025.

Requirements
• PhD degree in cell biology, virology, immunology, or a related field
• Experience in virology and work with tissue culture models (position 1) or work with mouse models (position 2)
• Experience in working under BSL2 conditions, experience in BSL3 is a plus
• Position 1: Experience with primary cell models, live-cell imaging, and/or sequencing techniques is a plus.
• Position 2: Experience with in vivo immunological assays and/or sequencing techniques is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral English skills
• Enthusiasm about virology/innate immunity and team spirit

What we offer
• Full-time position, initially funded for 2 years, with the potential for an extension
• Exciting project that combines basic research with translational aspects
• Close collaboration with our industry partner ETHRIS (https://www.ethris.com/)
• International research group offering an integrative environment
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment, including fully equipped BSL2 and BSL3 suites
• Attractive location in one of the most liveable cities in the world
• Work contract based on TVL (considering previous experience)

Please email your application quoting “NoVir_position” in PDF format, including the following documents:

1. Motivation letter highlighting your qualifications and reasons for joining our group
2. CV including publication list
3. Contact information for two references

to Tatjana Polat (tatjana.polat@tum.de) by 10 February 2025.

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Andreas Pichlmair andreas.pichlmair@tum.de
Dr. Lara Rheinemann lara.rheinemann@tum.de

We currently offer a PhD position in the field of “Innate immune sensing of viruses” with particular emphasis on nucleic acid–host interactions. You will be working on nucleic acid binding proteins and assessing their functionality in innate immune recognition or virus restriction. We plan a combination of unbiased -omics, loss of function and gene-editing approaches in combination with hypothesis testing in order to facilitate our understanding of virus sensing, virus restriction and control of viral diseases. Particular emphasis will lie on the characterization of proteins that regulate RIG-like receptor activity and the associated signalling events. You will use standard molecular biology techniques including virus infection assays, western blotting, qPCR and ELISA and, in addition, employ unbiased approaches such as proteomics and transcriptomics analyses. Moreover, in collaboration with other groups, we plan to test the activity of your candidate proteins in in vivo models.

You will work at the campus of the “Klinikum Rechts der Isar” (Max Weber Platz) with an international team of scientists and tightly collaborate with scientists contributing to the TRR237 (https://www.trr237.uni-muenchen.de/index.html). The communication language is English, and networking skills are essential. Knowledge and interest in innate immunity and virus-host interactions are required, and experience in cell culture or molecular biology is a plus; you should also have basic knowledge in programming (e.g. “R” or “python”) and some affinity to large-scale data analysis and statistics.

Please send a brief motivation letter that states previous experience, grade report and the names of 1-2 referees to andreas.pichlmair@tum.de

We are looking forward to your application,
Andreas Pichlmair & team

Relevant publications:
Pennemann et al., Nature Communications 2021; Andersen et al., EMBO J. 2023; Bergant et al., Nature Communications 2023; Tsukamoto et al., Science 2023