POST-DOC in Microbiology

Université Bourgogne Europe; France; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Université Bourgogne Europe invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate microbial antagonism using Metschnikowia pulcherrima. The project spans pulcherriminic acid production, antagonistic molecules, and microfluidic-based interaction studies, with emphasis on single-cell analyses and imaging.

The role requires a PhD in microbiology-related field and demonstrated skills in yeast biology, microbiology techniques, and experimental design.

Qualifications

• PhD in microbiology, biotechnology or microbial biology required.
• Experience with yeast cultivation and characterization preferred.
• Strong quantitative microbiology and molecular biology skills.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Characterize the diversity of pulcherriminic acid production among a collection of M. pulcherrima strains.
• Evaluate antagonistic activity of strains against selected indicator microorganisms.
• Investigate relation between pulcherriminic acid production and antifungal activity.
• Develop microfluidics approaches and real-time imaging to study microbial interactions.

Skills

Yeast cultivation

Quantitative microbiology

Molecular biology

Experimental design

Data analysis

Education

PhD in microbiology/biotechnology/microbial biology

Job description

Organisation/Company Université Bourgogne Europe Department Institut Agro Dijon Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 29 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 23 Nov 2026 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 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.

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

• 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

• 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
• Characterize 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

• 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.

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)

Languages FRENCH Level Good

Languages ENGLISH Level Basic

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Years of Research Experience None

Additional Information

• 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

• Category A fixed-term contract
• Anticipated contract start date: 23/11/2026
• Full time

The recruitment process timelines may be impacted by the candidate's nationality (administrative procedures with prefectures and consulates) as well as by the context of the assigned laboratory (restricted access zone ZRR, sensitive unit, etc.) which may require the prior opinion of the Defense and Security Officer (DSO).