Master’s Thesis or Master’s Internship in Biochemistry
We are looking for a motivated master’s student to join the lab of Andrea Pauli for their Master’s thesis or a research internship of at least 3 months, with an ideal start date in February/March 2027.
Project outline
Our lab has recently identified SPARK (sperm protein assembly and receptor-binding key), a conserved, multisubunit protein complex on sperm that is essential for fertilization across vertebrates (Deneke & Suwita et al., 2026). In order to uncover the mechanism by which SPARK mediates sperm-egg binding and fusion, this project will aim to develop nanobodies as tools for protein purification and imaging of the SPARK complex. The Master student will contribute to developing nanobodies against SPARK by preparing antigens, screening for and selecting high-affinity nanobodies, and characterizing antigen-specific binders under the direct supervision of a PhD student.
Your background and skills
We are looking for an ambitious, motivated student who is pursuing a master’s degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, or a related discipline and has a strong interest in protein biochemistry and basic research.
We are particularly interested in candidates with:
- An excellent understanding of molecular biology and protein biochemistry.
- Practical laboratory experience, including cloning, recombinant protein expression, and protein purification.
- Familiarity with affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and antibody-binding assays.
- An interest in learning nanobody generation, selection, and characterization.
- A thorough approach to experimental work, troubleshooting, and documentation.
- The ability to work independently while communicating effectively within a team.
Our Environment
We offer a dynamic, international work environment and the possibility to make an important contribution to basic biomedical research. Our lab is very diverse and interdisciplinary in techniques and methods used: https://www.imp.ac.at/groups/andrea-pauli; https://paulilab.org/.
The successful candidate will be part of a stimulating research environment at the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), which is part of the Vienna Biocenter Campus, one of Europe’s most dynamic life science hubs. The working language in our lab and on our campus is English.
The expected start date is in February or March 2027.
How to apply
Please send your CV, a brief motivation statement, University transcripts and the names of 2 people that could provide references upon request to Andrea Pauli (andrea.pauli[at]imp.ac.at) and Johannes Suwita (johannes.suwita[at]imp.ac.at).