We are delighted to share with you an Inserm postdoctoral fellowship position for a period of 24 months, in the field of biophysics and structural biology. The candidate will work in the PRISM team (Protein-RNA Interactions by Structural Methods) at the University of Bordeaux (France). PRISM is one of the six teams that compose the ARNA laboratory (Nucleic Acids: Natural and Artificial Regulations).
The candidate will work in a project at the interface between NMR and cryo-EM, with general objectives centered on structure determination of DNA G-quadruplexes in complex with regulatory proteins. The project is directed by Gilmar Salgado (Assistant Professor at U. Bordeaux). The position is funded by the French Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm).
The project
Stretches of DNA on the promoter region of many genes, including those known implicated in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among others, are enriched with guanine-rich sequences that are the main target of regulatory proteins. Importantly, these sequences can fold into 3D structures via Hoogsteen type hydrogen-bonding where four guanines self-assembled into square planar arrangement, resulting in the formation of unusual DNA structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s). Those unusual structures are the target of many regulatory proteins and are perceived as modulators for gene transcription. We want to study those protein-DNA complexes in order to decipher their regulatory roles in gene expression. Our main goal is to simultaneously combine information from multiple sources (cryo-EM, NMR, smFRET, X-ray & SAXS) applying modern Integrative Structure Biology (ISB) approaches, and form a global view of the DNA-Protein complex system and their mode of gene regulation. The project is a collaboration between 3 French laboratories and one from Italy.
Our laboratory is located in the new Bordeaux Biologie Santé building (BBS) and have nearby other institutes for research such as the Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie. IECB houses a cryo electron microscope (Talos Arctica), for improved resolution we will apply to the French Infrastructure for Integrated Structural Biology (FRISBI) instruments such as the Titan Krios, the latest and most powerful instrument. In addition, IECB houses Solution state NMR instruments including an 800 (cryogenic probe), 700, and 400 MHz spectrometers.
Minimum qualifications required
- Ph.D. in Biophysics/Biochemistry or related fields with specialization in structural biology methods (preference for liquid state NMR)
- Comfortable using a variety of biophysical tools such as ITC, CD among others
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Experience in prokaryotic recombinant protein production
- Experience in launching 2D/3D NMR spectra and structure calculations
- Able to work in an autonomous and organized manner
- Strong leading role and management skills
Appointment terms
The position is a full-time, 24-month appointment. The salary range is listed according to Inserm for experienced postdoctoral fellow’s rules and depends on the experience and annuities after the thesis. The position will start as soon as November 2024.
How to apply
Please send a cover letter together with a curriculum vitae and contact information for all past professional references including PhD advisor. Pending manuscripts can be included in publication list accompanied by a PDF copy. Review of the applications started in September 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Successful candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. Send the files and references contacts to: [email protected].
Photo by Edoardo Bortoli on Unsplash
