Master Student (m / f / d) in "Transcription Factor Condensation in Chromatin Opening"

Institute of Molecular Biologgy; Mainz; Vor Ort; EUR 20.000 - 40.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prominent research institute in Mainz seeks a motivated master student for a 6-month internship in Chromatin Biology. The project focuses on understanding biomolecular condensation in transcription processes. Candidates should have good communication skills in English, organizational skills, and a keen interest in laboratory work. Training will be provided for specific techniques. The role offers flexible working hours and advanced training opportunities.

Leistungen

Advanced training opportunities

Team events

Flexible working hours

Qualifikationen

• Very good oral and written communication skills in English.
• Good organizational skills and high sense of responsibility.
• Motivation and team spirit.
• Experience with good scientific practices and careful work in the laboratory.

Aufgaben

• Experience in protein purification and fluorescence microscopy is of advantage, training will be provided.
• Purification of Yamanaka Factors and other disordered transcription factors.
• Reconstitution of nucleosomes and chromatin fibers from purified components.
• Biochemical characterization of chromatin fibers.
• Single-Molecule imaging of transcription factor condensates on DNA and chromatin fibers.
• Single-Molecule force spectroscopy.

Jobbeschreibung

About us

IMB ( ) is a research institute on the campus of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz Germany. It is generously funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation and the state of Rhineland Palatinate. Our research focuses on the biology of the cell nucleus and ranges from the molecular level to systems and computational approaches. Researchers at IMB are supported by strong core facilities that offer state-of-the-art services in bioinformatics cytometry genomics microscopy proteomics and protein production.

The position

Transcription is a fundamental process that must be precisely regulated for cells to function and for organisms to develop. Pioneer transcription factors (PTFs) play a special role by opening chromatin and activating gene expression programmes that define cell identity. Recent studies show that many PTFs form liquid-like condensates which are key to regulating this process. Our group ( ) investigates how such condensates form what proteins they contain and how they influence chromatin. Using recombinant proteins and advanced single-molecule assays we reconstitute these processes in vitro to uncover the molecular principles of transcriptional programming.

This project explores how PTFs use biomolecular condensation to remodel chromatin structure. While PTFs are known to access DNA within compacted chromatin the role of their condensates in facilitating chromatin opening remains unclear. To address this chromatin is reconstituted in vitro using fluorescently labeled histones and defined DNA templates and its interaction with PTFs is studied using single-molecule techniques. These include optical tweezers to detect nucleosome unwrapping through force spectroscopy and the carpet assay to visualize condensate formation on surface immobilized chromatin via TIRF microscopy. Together these approaches allow to dissect how PTF condensation influences chromatin accessibility at the single-molecule level.

Tasks and responsibilities

Experience in protein purification and fluorescence microscopy is of advantage but not mandatory you will receive training in the respective techniques in our laboratory. Besides standard molecular biology techniques (SDS-PAGE molecular cloning etc.) you will apply some of the following specialized methods during the course of the proposed project :

• Purification of Yamanaka Factors and other disordered transcription factors (Affinity- and Size Exclusion Chromatography)
• Reconstitution of nucleosomes and chromatin fibers from purified components
• Biochemical characterization of chromatin fibers (MNase-Assays EMSA)
• Single-Molecule imaging of transcription factor condensates on DNA and chromatin fibers (TIRF microscopy confocal microscopy)
• Single-Molecule force spectroscopy (optical tweezers)

Requirements

Excitement about Condensation and / or Chromatin Biology and Single-Molecule Imaging

• Very good oral and written communication skills in English
• Good organizational skills and high sense of responsibility
• Motivation and team spirit
• Experience with good scientific practices and careful work in the laboratory

Why join us

As a master student at IMB you will be part of our Internship Programme ( We offer a stimulating diverse and international research environment with a pleasant working atmosphereand the opportunity to perform state-of-the-art experiments. The institute is modern well-equipped andcentrally located with good public transport links and parking.

Our offer

Advanced training opportunities

Team events

Flexible working hours

What else you need to know

Starting Date : flexible between October 2025 and January 2026

Duration : 6 months

Deadline : 30.09.2025

Have we sparked your interest

To apply please upload your application containing your cover letter CV certificates and contact information of at least one professional references to our application form on Should you have any questions regarding the application process please contact us by email quoting Ref. No. #SWIMS01. Informal enquires should be addressed to Dr Sina Wittmann.

IMB is an equal opportunity employer.

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Key Details

• Employment Type : Full-Time
• Experience : years
• Vacancy : 1