POST-DOC in Microbiology

Université Bourgogne Europe

Dijon

On-site

EUR 27,000 - 28,000

Full time

12 days ago

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

L’AFIM team au sein de l’UBE à Dijon recherche un chercheur postdoctoral pour étudier les mécanismes d’antagonisme des levures Metschnikowia pulcherrima contre des microorganismes indiquateurs dans des environnements de fermentation et microbiologie alimentaire.

Le candidat travaillera sur des projets utilisant la microfluidique, la purification de protéines et l’imagerie en temps réel, avec collaboration étroite avec le PI et les équipes associées. Poste à temps plein, basé à Dijon.

Qualifications

Docteur en microbiologie, biotechnologie ou microbiologie des microbes requis.
Connaissances en culture de levures et en microbiologie quantitative.
Compétences en biologie moléculaire et en conception d’expériences.

Responsibilities

Conduire des activités postdoctorales axées sur les mécanismes d’antagonisme des M. pulcherrima.
Isoler et caractériser des molécules impliquées dans l’activité antagoniste (pulcherriminic acid, toxines potentielles).
Développer des approches microfluidiques et d’imagerie en temps réel pour étudier les interactions microbiennes.

Skills

Culture de levures

Microbiologie quantitative

Biologie moléculaire

Education

Doctorat en microbiologie

Tools

SDS-PAGE

Purification de protéines

Microfluidique

Job description

À propos de nous

The AFIM team (Food, Fermentation, Interactions, and Microbiota), part of the Joint Research Unit for Food and Microbiological Processes (UMR PAM), conducts research in the fields of food microbiology, fermentation, microbial interactions, and the relationships between the microbiota and health.

The team's research aims to gain a better understanding of the role of microorganisms in complex food ecosystems, their interactions with their environment, and their potential effects on host health. The team brings together researchers and academic staff with complementary expertise in microbiology, microbial physiology, and the study of microorganism–host interactions.

The team's scientific activities are structured around four complementary research areas :

Microbial Functionalities and Fermentation Optimization : Characterization of the functional properties of microorganisms and improvement of fermentation processes
Microbial Adaptation and Fermentation Control : Investigation of the mechanisms underlying microbial adaptation to food environments and the control of fermentation ecosystems
Microbial Signaling and Host Responses : Investigation of microbial communication mechanisms and interactions between microorganisms and host cells
Microbiota Modulation and Its Impact on Health: Exploration of the relationships between the microbiota, diet, and health

Through its complementary scientific expertise and interdisciplinary approach, the AFIM team provides a stimulating research environment that supports the development of innovative research projects, the training of early-career researchers, and the dissemination and valorization of scientific findings.

Mission

THE RESEARCH PROJECT

is structured around three complementary work packages (WPs) aimed at investigating the mechanisms underlying the antagonistic activity of Metschnikowia pulcherrima against food spoilage microorganisms.

WP1 – Pulcherriminic Acid Production and Antifungal Activity

Evaluation of M. pulcherrima strains for pulcherriminic acid production and antagonistic activity against food spoilage microorganisms to identify the most effective biocontrol strains.

WP2 – Characterization of Antagonistic Molecules

Purification and characterization of bioactive compounds, including potential killer toxins, and assessment of their inhibitory activity against target microorganisms.

WP3 – Microbial Interactions Using Microfluidics

Development of microfluidic and imaging approaches to investigate direct and indirect microbial interactions and identify cellular mechanisms involved in growth inhibition.

Together, these approaches will provide insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the antagonistic activity of M. pulcherrima and help distinguish contact-dependent from diffusible molecule-mediated inhibitory effects.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH PROJECT – Main Responsibilities And Scientific Objectives

The postdoctoral research project aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the microbial antagonistic activity of the yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima against food spoilage microorganisms. In particular, the project will focus on characterizing the molecules involved in this antagonistic activity, especially pulcherriminic acid and potential killer toxins, as well as deciphering microbial interactions at the single-cell level using microfluidic approaches and real-time imaging techniques.

Within this framework, the postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for the following main scientific activities :

Mission 1

Investigate the Diversity of Pulcherriminic Acid Production and Evaluate the Antifungal Potential of M. pulcherrima Strains

Characterize the diversity of pulcherriminic acid production among a collection of M. pulcherrima strains
Evaluate the antagonistic activity of the different strains against three selected indicator food spoilage microorganisms
Investigate the relationship between pulcherriminic acid production and the observed antifungal activity
Identify strains exhibiting the most promising antagonistic properties for further investigation

Mission 2

Identify and Characterise the Molecules Responsible for the Killer Activity of M. pulcherrima

Implement methods for the concentration, fractionation, and purification of proteins present in culture supernatants
Purify candidate molecules using protein precipitation, dialysis, ion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography
Assess the purity of the resulting protein fractions using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis
Characterise the killer activity of the purified fractions against the selected indicator microorganisms using both solid and liquid culture assays
Contribute to the identification of the molecules involved in the antagonistic activity and to a better understanding of their biological effects

Mission 3

Decipher the Mechanisms of Microbial Interactions Using Microfluidic Approaches and Cellular Imaging

Develop and implement microfluidic devices suitable for investigating interactions between M. pulcherrima and the selected indicator microorganisms.
Investigate both direct cell-to-cell interactions and indirect interactions mediated by diffusible molecules.
Perform real-time monitoring of microbial interactions using microscopy and fluorescence imaging techniques.
Analyze changes in cellular behavior, including growth, budding, morphology, and cell viability.
Evaluate the effects of culture supernatants and purified antagonistic compounds on the physiology of target microorganisms.
Identify the cellular mechanisms associated with the inhibition of growth of the indicator microorganisms.

The postdoctoral researcher

works in close collaboration with the project's principal investigator, as well as with researchers, academic staff, research engineers, and technicians from the AFIM team within UMR PAM
also interacts with staff from technical and analytical platforms, particularly in the fields of microbiology, protein purification, microfluidics, and cellular imaging
collaborates with the project's scientific partners, participates in project progress meetings, and presents research findings at team meetings, seminars, and national and international scientific conferences.

Profil

Candidate holding a PhD in microbiology, biotechnology, or microbial biology obtained less than 3 years ago. The PhD degree is mandatory at the time of taking up the position.

Proficiency in yeast cultivation and characterization, quantitative microbiology and molecular biology techniques, as well as experimental design and data analysis. Skills in genomics, omics approaches, or metabolite analysis would be an asset.

Knowledge of wine microbiology and microbial interactions would be appreciated. The position requires scientific rigor, independence, critical thinking, the ability to develop and optimize experimental methods, and the capacity to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

LANGUAGE

French: Good — B2 minimum (daily interactions in the laboratory)
English: Basic

POST INFORMATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions and particular constraints : No particular conditions.
Geographical location : IUVV, PAM Laboratory — University of Burgundy Europe (UBE), Dijon (21000), France.
Rights and obligations, including ethical and intellectual property obligations : The beneficiary (postdoctoral researcher) will be bound by professional secrecy with respect to third parties, not only regarding the laboratory activities related to the field of study and research, but also regarding any other laboratory activities of which they may become aware. They may not make any publications or written or oral communications relating to their research without the prior agreement of the Scientific Manager of the project. The postdoctoral researcher's publications and communications must necessarily be co-signed by the scientific supervisor of the research, who is a full member of the laboratory. The results of the research, whether "patentable" or not, will be the full and entire property of the laboratory, which may file patents in its name to protect the inventions made.

CONTRACT