Organisation/Company JMU Würzburg Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Vienna) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101311592 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes
Offer Description
Project Title: Discovery and profiling of novel β-catenin binders
Objectives:
1. Screen predicted endogenous and computationally designed β-catenin binders in microarray format.
2. Validate and map hits by competition assays and systematic mutational scanning.
3. Define sequence requirements for β-catenin binding and determine how β-catenin PTMs affect recognition.
Project Overview: β-Catenin is a central interaction hub in Wnt signaling, but additional endogenous binders and the sequence determinants governing their recognition likely remain undiscovered. This project will systematically screen putative and predicted β-catenin-binding sequences using high-density microarrays. Initial screening will include the central armadillo-repeat domain of β-catenin as well as modified β-catenin variants provided by WP3 and computationally designed binders from WP5. Validated hits will be characterized by competition assays and residue-level mutational scanning to define binding motifs, specificity determinants, and PTM-dependent effects. Selected binders will be forwarded to WP3 and WP4 for further characterization, while experimentally derived sequence–activity relationships will provide feedback for improving prediction and binder design in WP5. The project aims to identify novel β-catenin interactions and binding principles that may enable new strategies for targeting aberrant Wnt signaling. Contribution to the overall research program: Provides experimental screening and sequence–activity mapping of predicted β-catenin binders and guides selection of candidates for synthesis and downstream characterization.
Skills and research profile: Experience with peptide or organic synthesis, protein handling, and biochemical or biophysical interaction assays. Experience with peptide microarrays and SAR analysis advantageous.
Salary: The position is funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA-DN project FlexCAT (Grant Agreement No. 101311592) for three years. The selected candidate will be offered a competitive salary comprising a Living Allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient), a Mobility Allowance, and, if applicable, a Family Allowance. All allowances are subject to applicable social security contributions and taxation.
Planned secondment: 1. Host: HZM; Supervisor: Dr. Iva Pritisanac; Length: 4 months.
Purpose: Bioinformatic profiling of β-catenin binders and integration of experimental sequence–activity data into predictive models.
Enrolment in Doctoral degree(s): JMU Würzburg (Maric)
Applications will be assessed for eligibility and scientific/academic quality. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The final selection will follow the open, transparent and merit-based recruitment principles of MSCA.
Key Dates
- Applications open: 15 September 2026
- Applications close: 31 October 2026
- Online pre-interviews: early November 2026
- Final interviews: late November/early December 2026
- Decisions and offers: mid-December 2026
- Start: January 2027 – March 2027
Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. To be eligible for recruitment as an MSCA Doctoral Candidate, applicants must fulfil the following criteria at the date of recruitment:
- Education – you do not hold a doctoral degree and hold (or will shortly complete) a science Master’s degree (see individual project requirements), with excellent results, qualifying you for admission to the doctoral program of the respective host institution. The successful candidate must fulfil the admission requirements of the respective doctoral programme and will be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project.
- Mobility - you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in recruiting beneficiary’s country for more than 12 months during the 36 months before your recruitment. Compulsory national service, holidays/short stays and time spent obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention4 are not considered for this purpose.
- Language & communication – excellent command of spoken and written English (min. B2 level). Ability to communicate results clearly to diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.
- Motivation – motivation for multidisciplinary, international doctoral research, hands‑on experimental work, mandatory academic/industy secondment(s), to publish research findings in international journals, present results at conferences and contribute to project deliverables. Willingness to contribute to project network‑wide activities, communication, training events, and dissemination efforts.
- Technical skills – specific to the individual DC project (see individual project descriptions).
Specific Requirements
Skills and research profile: Experience with peptide or organic synthesis, protein handling, and biochemical or biophysical interaction assays. Experience with peptide microarrays and SAR analysis advantageous.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Additional Information
Selection process
Applications will be assessed for eligibility and scientific/academic quality. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The final selection will follow the open, transparent and merit-based recruitment principles of MSCA.
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