Main tasks

The research group of Dr. Florian Altegoer at the Institute of Microbiology (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf) investigates molecular communication mechanisms in fungal host–microbe interactions. Our goal is to understand how fungi sense their environment and coordinate complex behaviors such as infection and symbiosis. This project focuses on a newly discovered peptide-mediated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling system in the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis (see preprint here: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.26.678928). The successful candidate will dissect the molecular and structural basis of receptor activation and signaling. To achieve this, we combine molecular biology, protein biochemistry, microbiology, and structural biology approaches, with a strong emphasis on single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) of membrane proteins. The postdoctoral researcher will work on a BIS-funded project entitled “Deciphering the molecul...