PhD position (funded by Amidex)

Aix-Marseille Université; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is seeking a PhD candidate focused on innovative therapeutic RNA design. The role involves evaluating RNA modifications and collaborating within a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates should have a Master's degree in relevant fields and experience in RNA techniques. This position is offered as a full-time temporary contract, starting January 2025, with a duration of 3 years.

Qualifications

• Experience in RNA biology or biochemical protein purification appreciated.
• Familiarity with RNA synthesis, purification, and analysis techniques.
• Basic familiarity with bioinformatics tools for RNA and protein sequence analysis.

Responsabilités

• Design innovative therapeutic RNAs and work on directed evolution experiments.
• Evaluate impact of RNA modifications regarding therapeutic effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with a research engineer and a PhD student.

Connaissances

RNA synthesis techniques

Biochemical and protein purification

Therapeutic RNA design

Computational tools for structure prediction

Bioinformatics tools

Formation

Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or Biotechnology

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Aix-Marseille Université Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Medical sciences » Other Physics » Biophysics Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 30 Nov 2025 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 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

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD/R1: First stage Researcher

RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Therapeutic RNAs, vaccinology, Epitranscriptomics RNA modification

MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Development of New Technologies for the Synthesis of Therapeutic and Vaccine RNAs

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION

Objectives and Project Content

This PhD project focuses on the design of innovative therapeutic RNAs that closely mimic natural cellular RNAs and is part of a collaborative effort with an industrial partner. The project includes:

• Directed evolution experiments on enzymes aimed at improving their catalytic properties and generating new tools transferable to industry.
• Evaluation of the impact of modifications introduced into RNAs (in collaboration with a CIML team), particularly regarding innate immune activation and the effectiveness of the corresponding therapeutic products.

This project, at the interface between academic research and industrial development, offers a multidisciplinary environment integrating structural biology, enzymology, cell biology, and immunology. It will be conducted in close collaboration with a research engineer responsible for developing the necessary methodologies and tools, as well as a PhD student in the final stage of their thesis.

Project Summary

The project aims to develop optimized and engineered polymerases to improve their efficiency and stability in the synthesis of therapeutic and vaccine RNAs, with a particular focus on phage RNA polymerases.

The project relies on engineering polymerase mutants capable of incorporating modified nucleotides and initiating synthesis in the presence of small RNAs carrying cap analogues. Individual mutations have already been identified in different polymerases, and we will combine this information with structural knowledge of polymerases to target critical regions for synthesis initiation.

The host team, recognized for its expertise in viral replication mechanisms, polymerase characterization, and inhibitor identification, has also demonstrated how viruses modify their RNAs via methylation to evade cellular defenses.

By combining expertise in polymerases and RNA modification processes (capping and methylation), our strategy is to develop an innovative method capable of significantly improving technologies for synthesizing therapeutic and vaccine RNAs.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY
JOB STATUS: FULL TIME
HOURS PER WEEK 35
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/11/2025 & TIME 00:00
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/01/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 3 years

Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal

Qualifications

The candidate should hold a Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or Biotechnology, with a minimum final grade of 12/20 in the Master’s program (M2).

Experience in RNA biology or biochemical and protein purification proteins will be appreciated.

The ideal candidate should:

• Have a background, biochemistry, or biotechnology.
• Be familiar with techniques for RNA synthesis, purification, and analysis (e.g., in vitro transcription, PAGE, HPLC, spectrophotometry).
• Show interest in therapeutic RNA design and production, including RNA modification and capping strategies.
• Have interest in protein structural analysis (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, or other biophysical methods).
• Be able to use or learn computational tools for protein and RNA structure prediction, including AlphaFold and related modelling approaches.

Basic familiarity with bioinformatics tools for RNA and protein sequence analysis.

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team.
• Possess good communication skills.

Application Process

The candidate should hold a Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or Biotechnology, with a minimum final grade of 12/20 in the Master’s program (M2). The doctoral school will evaluate its eligibility to the PhD program.

Candidates are invited to send a CV and a cover letter.