Postdoctoral Position in Structural Biology (M/W)

Characterizing receptor kinases' structure and signaling.

Mission – We are looking for ahighly motivated post-doc with expertise in structural biology of membrane proteins, molecular biology and biochemistry to unravel the molecular mechanisms of a receptor kinase associated with human health and diseases.

The project involves a close collaboration between the group of Dr Pierre Maisonneuve at the University of Bordeaux (UMR 5248 CNRS, IECB, France), which investigate the structural mechanisms of protein kinases in human signaling by using cryo-EM and X-Ray crystallography (1-3) and the group of Dr. Xavier Guillory at the Université de Rennes (Inserm U1242, Rennes, France), which aims at deciphering and targeting the molecular mechanisms of activation of a receptor kinase (4,5). The selected candidate will be based in Dr. Maisonneuve's lab in Bordeaux, France. The position is fully funded as part of the INSPIRE1 research program funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR).

Main activities –

• Molecular biology (design and conception of plasmids for protein expression).

• Protein expression in procaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic (insect and human) cells.

• Purification of membrane proteins and incorporation in nanodiscs.

• Structural characterization of membrane proteins by single particle cryo-EM.

• Functional and biophysical characterization in vitro of enzymatic activities (kinase & RNase), substrate specificity (RT-qPCR), protein-protein interactions (ITC, fluorescent spectroscopy, SPR, BLI and others).

Required abilities –

• Expertise in protein biochemistry (ideally in membrane proteins)

• Single-particle electron microscopy (cryo-EM)

• Protein expression in human cells.

• Use of detergents, lipids or amphipols. Previous experience on nanodiscs represents a plus.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Good communication & organizational skills

Environment –

The candidate will join an exciting and multidisciplinary scientific environment with on-site access to cutting-edge facilities in cryo-EM, X-Ray crystallography, NMR, Biochemistry, Biophysics, molecular biology and cell biology.  The Université of Bordeaux is a Top French university. It offers a dynamic and lively international campus with an ideal location just 2 hours from Paris, the sea and the mountains. 

Position –

• Application deadline: 31^st of March, proposed start date: May - July 2024

• Required experience: 2 - 8 years after PhD.

• Fixed term contract, 18 months, but the candidate is encouraged to apply for additional postdoctoral funding.

• Salary: Upon experience and according to INSERM salary standards.

Please send CV, cover letter and at least two contacts likely to provide recommendation to:

Dr. Xavier Guillory - xavier.guillory@univ-rennes.fr

Dr. Pierre Maisonneuve - p.maisonneuve@iecb.u-bordeaux.fr

1. Maisonneuve, P., Sahmi, M. et al.  Nat Struct Mol Biol (2024). 2. Posternak, G., Tang, X., Maisonneuve, P. et al. Nat Chem Biol 16, 1170–1178 (2020). 3. Lavoie, H., Sahmi, M., Maisonneuve, P. et al. Nature 554, 549–553 (2018). 4. Pelizzari-Raymundo, D., […], Guillory, X., iScience, 26, 106687 (2023). 5. Langlais, T., […], Guillory, X., Biochem. J., 478, 2953-2975 (2020)