Direction de la recherche et de la valorisation Département Administration de la recherche Call for Post-doc
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Post-doctoral fellow (M/F) in molecular biology or chemical biology
Job Summary:
(English, max 1000 characters)
We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow having a PhD in molecular biology or chemical biology to implement a new microfluidic-assisted screening technology aiming at identifying RNA/protein interaction in ultrahigh-throughput regimes. The applicant will be in charge of preparing genes coding for molecular constructs (proteins, and RNAs), generating mutant libraries from these constructs. Upon technology setting-up, it will be transposed to a microfluidic format, through a close collaboration with chemist partners. With this technology in hand, it will then be possible to reprogram the specificity of RNA-binding protein as well as to search for molecule able to interfere with it. We expect the applicant to have established expertise in working with RNA and/or proteins as well as to be highly motivated and to have a strong interest for multidisciplinary projects.
Job Description:
(English, detailed information – max 3000 characters)
The droplet microfluidic technology used by the team "Digital Biology of RNA" headed by Prof. Michael RYCKELYNCK (Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Strasbourg) allows the production and the manipulation (e.g., controlled fusion and sorting) of water- in-oil microdroplets of a few picoliters, very homogeneous in size, and at a rate of several thousand events per second. These droplets are usually functionally inert microreactors, i.e., not interfering with the encapsulated molecules or biological reactions, and they allow to perform various screenings and analyses at ultrahigh-throughput regimes. These compartments are also characterized by an important surface/volume ratio, a property that remains largely unexploited. To overcome this lack, a collaboration with Alain WAGNER's team (Faculty of Pharmacy, Illkirch) has allowed the development of a technology for functionalizing the inner surface of droplets by grafting specific capture biomolecules (oligonucleotides, antibodies) onto the surfactant, an amphiphilic molecule that stabilizes the droplet by placing itself at the water/oil interface.
The present project will aim to use our biomolecule capture technology to decorate the inner surface of droplets with synthetic RNA motifs. Gene mutant libraries of RNA-binding proteins will then be generated, and each gene will be expressed as a fusion protein coupled to a fluorescent reporter (e.g., GFP) within the functionalized droplets. Thus, protein mutants able to bind to the immobilized RNA motif will be easily identified by the relocalization of protein fluorescence on the surface of the droplets. It will thus be possible to identify protein mutants capable of recognizing predefined RNA motifs and to generate new specific artificial RNA/protein pairs.
This approach will also allow the identification of molecules capable of interfering with the RNA/protein interaction.
We are seeking a scientist with a PhD in molecular biology or in chemical biology, ideally with a previous experience in the manipulation of RNA and/or protein engineering. Knowledge in microfluidics can be a plus be is not mandatory.
Among other activities, the recruited person will be in charge of:
- setting up and validating the technology for the specific capture of RNA motifs on the surface of droplets.
- preparing and validating prototypes of RNA binding proteins fused with a fluorescent protein - producing and validating mutant libraries of RNA binding protein genes
- implementing and performing the selection of reprogrammed protein mutants with new specificity - analyzing results and writing a manuscript
- presenting the collected data in scientific meetings and international congresses
For more information on the team and its activities, please visit the website:
https://ibmc.cnrs.fr/en/laboratoire/arn-en/equipes/biologie-digitale-de-larn/
Please, send your application (CV, motivation letter and the name of 2 references) to Prof. Michael RYCKELYNCK
Direction de la recherche et de la valorisation Département Administration de la recherche (jobbiodig2016@unistra.fr)
Main research field :
WARNING: Please select, trying to be specific, using 'Other' or 'All' will decrease your Job Vacancy visibility Biological sciences
Offer Requirements:
- Possess an established expertise in molecular biology and ideally have experience in RNA manipulation and protein production.
- To be able to work efficiently, independently, and as part of a team - Be interested and motivated in working in a multidisciplinary environment
Eligibility criteria :
The candidate must have obtained a PhD in molecular biology or chemical biology from January 1, 2017 onwards.
JOB DETAIL
Type of contract: fixed termed (CDD) 18-month contract Status: Post-doc fellow
Company / Institute: Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMC) of the CNRS Country: France
City: Strasbourg Postal Code: 67000
Street : 2 allée Konrad Roentgen
APPLICATION DETAILS (mandatory) Provisional start date : 01/12/2021 Application deadline : 25/10/2021
Application e-mail : jobbiodig2016@unistra.fr
