Postdoctoral Fellowships
Grenoble, France
EMBL Grenoble specializes in fundamental research in structural biology, and in developing state-of-the art instrumentation, methods and services. The site is located on the dynamic European Photon and Neutron science campus (EPN campus), together with other international and French research institutions.
We are recruiting a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Scientist to join the Head of Unit’s Research Group at EMBL Grenoble, Prof. Kristina Djinovic Carugo. The Djinovic group is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the architecture and assembly of muscle sarcomeres, particular Z-discs.
The sarcomere – the basic contractile unit of myocytes – assembles from nascent actin-rich Z-bodies into paracrystalline multiprotein structures called Z-discs. Yet, the assembly rules and protein components regulating these complex structures remain largely unknown. We recently discovered that two main Z-disc proteins form phase-separated liquid condensates in vitro, which gives rise to the exciting hypothesis that phase separation is the driving force behind Z-disc assembly by bringing together its proteins to facilitate interactions.
Djinovic Group is a member of the collaborative project “From disorder to order: mechanism of specialised assemblies formation essential for muscle function” supported by HFSP Award. Its aim is to investigate how highly ordered sarcomeric Z-disc structure arises from disordered Z-bodies. We will determine the biophysical and structural principles underlying sarcomere cytoskeleton assembly in biogenesis, molecular components, and regulators and integrate the data into a 4D multiscale integrative molecular model.
The collaborative team united by HFSP Award will capitalise on complementary and synergistic expertise in structural biology and modelling (Kristina Djinovic Carugo, EMBL Grenoble; France and Toshiyuki Oda, University of Tokyo, Japan), advanced imaging (Jonas Ries, University of Vienna, Austria) and cardiovascular development and disease (Travis Hinson, The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT, USA) and adopt a multifaceted and multiscale approach to tackle the central questions on sarcomere cytoskeleton assembly in biogenesis at the molecular and structural level.
Your role
You will embark on an exciting journey to decipher the structures of selected reconstituted complexes and macromolecular condensates using an integrative structural biology approach, which encompasses molecular biophysics characterisation, combined with small angles X-ray scattering, macromolecular crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy/tomography, depending on their size and dynamics. As a team member, you will play a crucial role in uncovering the detailed biophysical and structural principles that regulate complex assembly. Joining collaborative efforts, you will contribute to the generation of a 4D multiscale integrative molecular model.Apply now
Closing date: 31 October 2023
- Contract duration: 3 years
- Grading: stipend
- Reference number: GR00215
Related
You have
- PhD degree in a relevant field with strong background in structural biology.
- Experience in molecular cloning, expression, and purification of protein complexes is essential.
- Prior knowledge of crystallography and/or single-particle electron microscopy is needed.
- Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts.
- Ability to work independently and also to interact within a group.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication and present results at scientific meetings.
You might also have
- Previous experience in complementary structural biology methods (e.g. SAXS), molecular and cell biophysics approaches and cell culture will be considered an advantage.
- Experience with cryo-electron tomography.
- Experience with working in multidisciplinary research teams.
Why join us
EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture – one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.
We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.
EMBL offers attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. Competitive salary and social security benefits, financial support for relocation, a relaxed culture, professional development, canteen and other staff facilities make EMBL a great place to work.
** Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply nevertheless.
What else you need to know
We are Europe’s research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.
Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. The working language of the institute is English.
In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, CV and the contact details of 3 referees.
Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract.
EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.
Job advertisements to Post-Doctoral positions in labs of Travis and Ries labs can be found here:
Ries:
Postdoc for super-resolution microscopy of muscle cells
Travis:
Additional Information
Informal inquiries about this project and position should be sent to Kristina Djinovic Carugo (kristina.djinovic@embl.org), inquiries about the positions in Hinson and Riels labs to Travis Hinson (travis.hinson@jax.org) and Jonas Ries (Jonas.ries@univie.ac.at).