Identification du poste : 

• Assignment (place of work): Institute of Structural Biology (IBS – UMR 5075) – Grenoble, France
• Contract dates: from 1/10/2025 to 30/09/2028 (36 months)

Description de la structure

Located on the international EPN campus (ESRF/ILL/EMBL/IBS), the Institute of Structural Biology (IBS) is a national and international player in the field of integrated structural biology. At the same time a research centre, a technical platform, a reception and scientific training site, the IBS aims to develop research in structural biology, a field of research that is crucial for the understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms. It is based on 12 state-of-the-art platforms. As a joint research unit (CEA-CNRS-UGA) the IBS is composed of 19 research groups, each of these groups offering a multidisciplinary approach, at the frontiers of biology, physics and chemistry, in coherence with 3 research axes. Nearly 300 people work there, researchers, doctoral students, engineers and technicians in a multicultural and international environment. The recruited person will join the Membrane and Pathogens group.

Job duties and main activities :

Precise project name :

Investigating S. aureus Recognition by Host Receptor Proteins.

This position is one of 15 doctoral positions in a European doctoral network, called Aureus, whose members are spread across 9 European countries, and which will be operational from 2022 to 2029. The groups involved range from synthetic chemistry and immunology to structural, computational and cellular biology.

This particular PhD project aims to study in depth the recognition of S. aureus by specific receptor proteins, including C- type lectin receptors (CLRs) to obtain more in-depth information on the critical molecular motifs recognized that could be used in certain potential therapeutic strategies. The capacity of CLRs to recognize molecular motif from S. aureus has been already documented but only for a limited number of CLR and thus it is still a poorly understood aspect of host- pathogen interactions. We have developed expertise in the production of a library of CLRs and the characterization of their interaction with carbohydrate-based motifs from pathogens.

Main activities :

Thus, in this project, the recruited PhD will: 1) produce and engineer different proteins, including lectins at different oligomeric states ; 2) screen and identify the diversity of receptor proteins able to recognize selectively molecular component of S. aureus cell wall (in collaboration with other PhDs, DC1 and DC5 within the European network); 3) characterize proteins interaction with identified ligand investigating their binding affinity and kinetics through biophysical assays, such as ITC, SPR ( and/or BLI.

In collaboration with 3 others PhDs within the Aureus Network, the structural basis of receptor/ligand complexes will be elucidated. Cryo-electron microscopy for larger complexes will be considered. The fine characterization of binding

Priority skills expected :

• Professional skills/know-how : Prior experience in recombinant protein production, biochemistry, biophysics of interaction study (SPR, BLI or ITC) and/or background on structural biology.
• Personal skills : Organizational skills, fluency in English (level C1 spoken and written), ability to work independently and as a team player in a multidisciplinary environment. Good communication skills (in the context of a multi-partner project on a European scale).

Supervisory role (hierarchical or functional) : No

Desired professional experience : beginner

Training, diploma, experience required : Master degree in Biochemistry, Structural biology, Chemical biology or Pharmacy.

Gross salary: 2700 € month + 600 euros of mobility allowance

Contacts for questions :

• related to functions :

Dr. Franck Fieschi, Professor at Université Grenoble-Alpes, Franck.fieschi@ibs.fr

• about the position :

Valérie LANARI, HR Manager valerie.lanari@ibs.fr

Application to the position :Please follow this link :https://emploi.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/job-offers/phd-in-structural-biochemistry-of-host-pathogen-interaction-aureus-marie-curie-doctoral-network-1568438.kjsp?RH=1135797159702996

Identification du poste : 

• Assignment (place of work): Institute of Structural Biology (IBS – UMR 5075) – Grenoble, France
• Contract dates: from 1/10/2025 to 30/9/2028 (36 months)

Description de la structure

Located on the Grenoble Scientific Polygon (ESRF/ILL/EMBL/IBS), the Institute of Structural Biology (IBS) is a national and international player in the field of integrated structural biology. At the same time a research centre, a technical platform, a reception and scientific training site, the IBS aims to develop research in structural biology, a field of research that is crucial for the understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms. It is based on 12 state-of-the-art platforms. As a joint research unit (CEA-CNRS-UGA) the IBS is composed of 19 research groups, each of these groups offering a multidisciplinary approach, at the frontiers of biology, physics and chemistry, in coherence with 3 research axes. Nearly 300 people work there, researchers, doctoral students, engineers and technicians in a multicultural and international environment. The recruited person will join the membrane and pathogens group.

Precise project name : MGL binding to S. aureus cell surface WTA/LTA by integrated structural biology

This position is one of 15 doctoral positions in a European doctoral network, called Aureus, whose members are spread across 9 European countries, and which will be operational from 2022 to 2029. The groups involved range from synthetic chemistry and immunology to structural, computational and cellular biology.

The study aims to understand how Macrophage Galactose Lectin (MGL) recognizes teichoic acids (TA) on S. aureus surfaces. Recognition depends on TA arrangement and the dynamics of MGL’s carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Researchers will use microscopy, SPR, NMR, and X-ray scattering to investigate these interactions. Co-crystallization and X-ray crystallography of MGL with TA ligands may also be considered. This integrated approach seeks detailed insights into MGL-TA recognition mechanisms.

Main activities : The PhD candidate will produce and purify MGL lectin. He/She will investigate the interaction of the protein with the surface of S. through an integrated structural biology approach, from cells to molecular details at atomic resolution. The candidate will employ fluorescently labelled MGL to probe the interaction at the surface of S. aureus, by confocal and super-resolution microscopy. Interaction between MGL and cell-surface polysaccharides will be characterised by Surface Plasmon Resonance, NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering. Co-crystallization of MGL with ligands could be also envisioned if required.

Priority skills expected :

• Professional skills/know-how

Biochemistry- Microbiology – Structural biology – Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) – Purification and characterization of proteins. – English (written/oral) level C1 spoken and written.

Personal skills

Organizational skills, fluency in English, ability to work independently and as a team player in a multidisciplinary environment. Good communication skills (in the context of a multi-partner project on a European scale).

Supervisory role (hierarchical or functional) :  No

Desired professional experience : beginner

Training, diploma, experience required : Master degree in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Chemical-Biology or Pharmacy

Gross salary : 2700 Euros + 600 euros of mobility Allowance

Contacts for questions :

• related to functions :

Dr Cedric Laguri, CNRS Researcher cedric.laguri@ibs.fr Pr Franck Fieschi, Professor UGA franck.fieschi@ibs.fr

• about the position :

Valérie LANARI, HR Manager valerie.lanari@ibs.fr

Application to the position :

Please follow this link :

https://emploi.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/job-offers/phd-in-structural-biology-of-host-pathogen-interactions- aureus-marie-curie-doctoral-network–1568763.kjsp?RH=1135797159702996

IGTP requires the incorporation of a post-doctoral researcher to work on the project “Identification of genes and genetic deficits in ataxias and other neurological disorders” at the Neurogenetics Unit led by Dr. Antoni Matilla.

Requirements:

1. a) Research Field: Biological sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemist, Human Genetics or similar
2. b) Education Level: PhD or equivalent
3. c) Required education level: PhD in Human Genetics, Experimental Sciences, Molecular Biology, Neurosciences or similar
4. d) Languages: Spanish, Catalan, and English at an advanced level.
5. e) Specific knowledge: Human Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology, Omics technologies
6. f) Personal skills: Teamwork, autonomy, motivation, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
7. g) Required experience: Proven experience in human molecular genetics, including NGS and bioinformatics for genome data analysis
8. h) Publications on human genetics

It will be valued to have been recognized by the competent bodies of the Autonomous Communities or, where applicable, of the General State Administration, as having a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%, or to have been declared disabled, of the General State Administration, a degree of disability equal to or higher than 33%, or having been declared in a situation of total permanent disability in a profession other than teaching, by Resolution of the National Institute of Social Security, provided that they have the functional capacity to carry out the usual tasks of the job post.

Functions:

1. a) Preparation and quantification of nucleic acids
2. b) Amplification of nucleic acids by PCR and sequencing preparation by Sanger and mass sequencing technologies using both NGS and ONS.
3. c) Analysis of experimental data obtained by advanced bioinformatics and databases
4. d) Biostatistics applied to the analysis of human genes
5. e) Supervision of students

Additional information:

1. a) Type of contract and working hours: Indefinite contract (contrato indefinido por actividades científico-técnicas, ley de la ciencia 14/2011)
2. b) Start date: Immediate.
3. c) Gross annual remuneration inherent to the square objected to this call will be fixed based on the experience provided and the skills of the candidate, distributed in 12 payments.
4. d) 23 days of holiday + 5 personal matters per year + 2 days for Easter + 2 days for Christmas.
5. e) Flexible compensation (childcare voucher).
6. f) Training capsules provided by the company.
7. g) Be part of the excellent multidisciplinary research center with the HRS4R label.
8. h) Location at the Can Ruti Campus, a first-class translational research environment in the Barcelona area, in a very stimulating scientific environment. IGTP offers a supportive, friendly, and collaborative ecosystem to promote professional development and help you achieve your research goals. Gross annual salary according to the candidate’s value.

For more information:

https://www.germanstrias.org/es/research/neurociencias/7/neurogenetica

Submission of applications:

Interested people should send a letter of motivation explaining their interest in the position, their CV and contact details of 2 references by e-mail to the following address: seleccio@igtp.cat, indicating the reference of the offer in the subject line. APPLICATIONS WHICH DO NOT INDICATE THE REFERENCE OF THE OFFER IN THE SUBJECT LINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

After a pre-selection of applications, the most suitable candidates will be interviewed.

The call for applications will close on April 15th.

To join the groups Dr. Annarita Patrizi and Dr. Daniela Mauceri. The successful candidate will investigate the role of the choroid plexus, a specialized endothelial-epithelial tissue, in mediating the brain-body interactions in pathologies. The project is embedded within the ERA-NET Neuron ChorNEXUS project and includes in vivo experiments in which mouse models of acute and chronic pain are employed. The project relies on an integrative approach that combines behavioral, molecular, genetic, and biochemical methods with imaging techniques.

Skills/Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Neuroscience or related areas, should be highly motivated, with strong organization skills and attention to detail, propensity to structure analytical steps in well-documented and reproducible workflows and towards independent work and planning. Candidates must be able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Fluency in English and the ability to work in an international environment is mandatory. Candidates with prior experience conducting experiments with animal models including certification for animal experimentation (FELASA) will have priority. Additional relevant skills include microscopy, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology.

Position Benefits

The position is fully funded within the international newly established ERA-NET ChorNexus consortium. Employment, payment and social benefits are according to the Public Sector Collective Agreement (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst – TVöD). The position is for three years and is expected to start in May 2025. Heidelberg region is a scientific hub that houses several internationally renowned research institutes. Heidelberg University offers a thriving, internation community with state-of-the-art facilities. Our groups are part of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience (IZN; https://www.izn.uni-heidelberg.de/en) that includes several research groups committed to study Neuroscience at various levels.

Application Instructions

Deadline for application is 21st February, 2025. Applications as a single PDF file written in English including a cover letter explaining your motivations and previous work, a CV with a list of publications, and two reference letters should be sent to both Dr. Mauceri and Dr. Patrizi by e-mail (mauceri@nbio.uniheidelberg.de; annaritapatrizi@hotmail.com).

We seek researchers who define and address fundamental questions in biology, including the development, the function, and the dynamics of complex biological systems.

Our Mission

Research activities at the IBDM synergistically connect developmental biology with molecular, cell, and computational biology, as well as evolution, biophysics, neurobiology, physiology, and physiopathology. The IBDM, affiliated with CNRS and AMU, uniquely fosters interdisciplinarity (Centuri) by its intimate connections with physicists, computational scientists, and mathematicians. IBDM is also engaged in other federative programs of AMU to address major challenges in Neuroscience, Cancer and Immunology, Rare Diseases, and Imaging. The IBDM strongly benefits from its collaborative and international scientific culture, English working language, and a fantastic campus, located in the heart of the Calanques National Park. The IBDM is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. The selected candidates will receive a start-up package, and will benefit from outstanding core facilities, including light and electron microscopy, as well as state-of-the-art animal facilities (mouse, Drosophila, Xenopus) for functional studies. The IBDM will also provide engaged mentoring to the selected candidates to obtain a tenured position (CNRS or AMU) and to secure extramural funding (ATIP/Avenir, ERC, FRM, etc…). Candidates should provide a single PDF file containing a cover letter explaining their motivation to join the IBDM, a CV (mentioning the date of PhD defense), a summary of their main research achievements (2 pages maximum), a research project (5 pages maximum), and contacts of three references. Applications and queries should be sent by email to the search committee before March 30th 2025. In-person interviews will be scheduled in June 2025.

How to apply

Candidates should provide a single PDF file containing a cover letter explaining their motivation to join the IBDM, a CV (mentioning the date of PhD defense), a summary of their main research achievements (2 pages maximum), a research project (5 pages maximum), and contacts of three references. Email: ibdm-call@univ-amu.fr

Applications and queries should be sent by email to the search committee before March 30th 2025. In-person interviews will be scheduled in June 2025.

APPLY before March 30th 2025