Job offer

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Eine innovative Forschungsposition im Bereich Biophysik und biologisches Engineering wird an einer angesehenen Einrichtung angeboten. Der DNASTRIX-Projektfokus liegt auf der Untersuchung der mechanischen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Zellstrukturen und dem Zellkern sowie der Analyse von DNA-Schäden durch mechanische Kräfte. Der erfolgreiche Kandidat wird die Möglichkeit haben, in einem dynamischen Umfeld an der Schnittstelle von Physik, Biologie und Computerwissenschaften zu arbeiten. Diese Position bietet die Chance, an bahnbrechenden Projekten zu arbeiten, die potenziell wichtige Erkenntnisse für das Verständnis menschlicher Krankheiten liefern. Bewerben Sie sich jetzt und gestalten Sie die Zukunft der biologischen Forschung mit.

Qualifications

• Hintergrund in Physik, Chemie oder Biologie erforderlich.
• Computerprogrammierungskenntnisse in Fortran, C/C++, Python sind wünschenswert.

Responsabilités

• Entwicklung molekularer Modelle der Hauptproteine für die Stressübertragung zum Zellkern.
• Untersuchung von DNA-Schäden, die durch mechanische Belastungen verursacht werden.

Connaissances

Physik

Chemie

Biologie

Biophysik

Computerprogrammierung (Fortran90, C, C++, Python, MatLab)

Unix/Linux OS

Englisch (fließend)

Französisch (Grundkenntnisse)

Formation

Masterabschluss in Physik

Masterabschluss in Chemie

Masterabschluss in Biologie

Description du poste

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company: University of Lille Department IEMN CNRS

Research Field: Physics » Biophysics, Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 31 Jul 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Permanent

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 35

Offer Starting Date: 29 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

The DNASTRIX project aims at investigating and quantifying how nuclear mechanics can be altered by forces issued from the cellular environment, and what are some key genomic implications of such mechanical processes, potentially involved in many human diseases from the cellular down to the molecular scale.

To reach such challenging objectives, we are pushing the limits of an ensemble of innovative techniques based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, under active development in our laboratories, by which we can apply controlled forces to both molecular aggregates and to whole living cells, while performing real-time fluorescence and confocal imaging.

In parallel, we leverage a theoretical and computer modeling program of all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) of the key proteins participating in the mechanical actions transmitted to the nucleus and chromatin from the cellular environment, and whole-cell micro-mechanical modeling, to elucidate the multi-scale details of mechanical stress transfer to the nuclear constituents.

Therefore, the aims of this project are twofold and parallel:

1. In a first part of work, we will focus on observing and quantifying the mechanical link between extranuclear cell structures and nucleus;
2. In the second part, we will track chromatin reorganization and identify possible damage to chromatin and DNA from mechanical forces.

The main subject of this PhD grant is centered on the theory and modeling part of the work. The candidate will develop molecular models of the main cytoskeletal and nucleoskeleton proteins involved in stress transmission to the nucleus and in transmitting forces to the DNA. DNA damage resulting from mechanical stresses will be investigated. A parallel modeling program involves the development of a coarse-grained model of the cell and nucleus to describe the response to mechanical deformation, with redistribution of the internal constituents.

Find more background information in the following references:

1. Perret, G., et al., Microsys. Nanoeng. (Nature) 2, 16062, DOI: 10.1038/micronano.2016.62 (2016)
2. Pekin, D., et al., IEEE 33rd Int. Conf. on MEMS, 62-65, DOI: 10.1109/MEMS46641.2020.9056362 (2020)
3. Cleri, F., Giordano, S., Blossey, R., J. Mol. Biol. 435, 168263, DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168263 (2023)

Where to apply

E-mail: [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field: Physics » Computational physics

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications:

The successful PhD candidate should have a background in physics, chemistry, biology, with a basic knowledge of biophysics. Computer programming skills (Fortran90, C, C++, Python, MatLab) and fluency in Unix/Linux OS are desirable. English language mandatory; French language desired.

Requested profile: candidates with a Master degree in physics, chemistry or biology will be considered. Good attitude to theoretical developments and computer modelling is important. Programming skills (Fortran, C/C++, Python) constitute a preference title. Working language is English; French is not required; however, the University program provides free language courses. The candidate will enroll in the Engineering Doctoral School, Specialty Micro and Nanotechnology.

Languages: ENGLISH Level Good

Languages: FRENCH Level Basic

Additional Information

The e-link in 'additional job details' gives a VR presentation of the DNASTRIX project.

Eligibility criteria

The candidates must submit a complete CV; motivational statement; course title and grades of their last 2 (master) years; a one-page summary of their internship (if applicable); professional contacts and/or recommendation letters.

Selection process

The position is continuously opened and will be filled as soon as the best candidate available is identified for the recruitment. Selection proceeds by examination and screening of the CV and recommendation letters. The selected candidates will be interviewed (remotely, by zoom). A progressive ranking of the candidates will be announced, in order to fill the position with the best candidate. Gender equality is assured.