Group Leader of a scientific working group in the Biochemistry department (24-40-3B)

Group Leader of a scientific working group in the Biochemistry department (24-40-3B)

The art of measurement — made in Germany. Striving to perfect it is the mission of the 2,200 employees of PTB, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. As Germany’s national metrology institute and a leading center of research, we operate in an international environment to develop world-class measurement standards. We at PTB work to ensure that people and organizations can trust the measurements they use.

Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of the leading institutes of technology in Germany and provides an inspiring working environment with a broad spectrum of research and teaching opportunities in excellently equipped facilities. Our research focus areas are mobility, metrology, engineering for health and smart cities. Our engineering and natural science departments represent our core competences and are closely intertwined with economics, social sciences, educational sciences and humanities.

Within the scope of a joint selection procedure, PTB and TU Braunschweig are looking for a candidate to fill the following position at the earliest possible date for a term initially limited to three years (with a further three-year extension pending successful evaluation):

Group Leader of a scientific working group
in the Biochemistry department
Remuneration Group 14 TVöD Bund ○ full-time

If you are able to prove your abilities over this period, it is planned to provide you with a permanent work contract.

The newly established position is intended to strengthen Metrology in Biochemistry, an existing research focus at PTB, and to help expand activities in the fields of biochemistry and biomedicine in close cooperation with TU Braunschweig and its partner institutions at the Braunschweig site. The new working group will also seek to intensify cooperation with PTB’s medically oriented working groups in Berlin.

Provided all legal prerequisites are satisfied, you will also be appointed to the Junior Professorship for Standardization of Biomolecular Measurements at TU Braunschweig (with tenure track) as per Section 30 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG) applying the so-called “Thüringer Modell” joint-appointment principle. In case of a successful interim performance evaluation as per Section 30 subsection 4 sentence 2 NHG, the junior professorship will be extended by another three years. If the procedure specified in the “Tenure-Track-Ordnung” (tenure track regulations) of TU Braunschweig is carried out successfully and if other legal requirements are met, the junior professorship will directly transition to a professorship without an additional application process.

Your tasks:

The new Working Group Leader (Junior Professor) will be expected to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to standardize high-dimensional metabolomics and proteomics measurement data. For this purpose, multiple reference measurements will ideally be used in order to be able to quantitatively detect as many biomarkers as possible. This research will concentrate on the following three areas:

1. Particular focus will be placed on the automated sample processing and measurement of analytes identified in the Rilli-BÄK list (guideline of the German Medical Association for the quality assurance of medical laboratory examinations). These involve various biomedically relevant metabolites, trace elements and proteins found in human body fluids (plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid).

2. Determining “beacon metabolites” by applying machine learning approaches. These beacon metabolites will then be used as reference points for the quantification of a whole group of suitable metabolites.

3. Investigating various methods of standardization and how their influence on the uncertainty of the measurement processes can be optimized.

The aim of the research done in collaboration with PTB working groups specialized in machine learning will be first to establish metrological fundamentals that can then be applied in the fields of metabolomics and proteomics in cooperation with the Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS). The person assuming the professorship will further be expected to interact with the Standards and Reference Materials working group of the German Society for Metabolomic Research and thus make the new methods available to other groups.

Your profile:

• You have completed your university studies (master’s degree or German Diplom) in biochemistry, chemistry, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology or a comparable discipline.
• You are able to perform scientific work autonomously, which is proven by your excellent doctoral thesis in a field relevant to this position.
• You are able to set up an independent scientific research working group and to take accountability for managing it.
• You have the ability to lead and motivate scientific and technical staff (to be demonstrated in an assessment center).
• You have published articles in internationally recognized scientific journals.
• You are a strong team player with excellent communication skills.
• You are willing to deliver lectures to academic classes and to supervise employees as well as students.
• You are able to communicate openly and constructively within the working group and with external partners.
• You are committed to the planned establishment of a third-party funded research network.
• You will ideally have gathered experience in international research work.
• You have an exceptional command of English (C2 level) and an excellent command of German (C1 level), both spoken and written.

We offer:

• A working environment which supports excellent scientific research in many different ways
• Two doctoral candidates who will support your team’s work
• With regard to teaching, the junior professorship will form part of the master’s program of the Faculty of Life Sciences at TU Braunschweig. It will initially involve a teaching load of 4 credit hours per week during each semester (4 SWS) and will later involve 2 courses (2 LVS).

This is important to us:

PTB and TU BS both promote gender equality and strongly encourage applications from female candidates. At the same time, we strive to reflect the diversity of our society. We therefore welcome every application submitted, regardless of the candidate’s gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or sexual identity. Within the scope of the official feasibilities, PTB and TU Braunschweig offer flexible part-time work schemes in order to support in particular the compatibility of work and family life. If equally suited to the position, disabled persons or persons having equivalent status under German law will be given preference.

Your application:

For subject-related questions concerning this position, please contact:
Prof. Dr. I. Rustenbeck, phone: +49 531 391-5670, email: i.rustenbeck(at)tu-braunschweig.de,
Prof. Dr. G. O’Connor, phone: +49 531 592-3200, email: gavin.oconnor(at)ptb.de.