Postdoc position in plant development

Ecole Polytechnique; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is seeking a Postdoc in Biological Sciences to study the role of pectin biosynthesis in plant cell growth. The position involves molecular biology research using Marchantia polymorpha and is part of an interdisciplinary team. Candidates should have a PhD and a strong background in molecular, cell, or developmental biology. Applications can be sent via email to the provided contacts until a suitable candidate is found.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a background in molecular, cell and/or developmental biology.
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary team is essential.

Responsabilités

• Understand how pectin biosynthesis or remodeling contributes to cell growth.
• Build CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out mutants and overexpression lines.
• Quantify growth rates and elastic properties of Marchantia gemmae.

Connaissances

background in molecular biology

background in cell biology

background in developmental biology

interest in interdisciplinary team work

Formation

PhD or equivalent

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Ecole Polytechnique Department Mécanique Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Feb 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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

One unique attribute of plant cells is the presence of a cell wall. Primary cell wall is mostly composed of polysaccharides and proteins that are assembled into interacting networks constantly reshaped during plant growth in order to fit with developmental processes (Zhang et al., 2021). The three major classes of cell wall polysaccharides are celluloses, hemicelluloses, and pectins. Whereas cellulose–hemicellulose network was shown to be essential for cell wall strengthening, loosening and expansion (Cosgrove, 2016), the role of pectin in determining cell wall structure and dynamics has likely been underestimated as suggested by studies carried out on homogalacturonans (Du et al., 2022) and on rhamnogalacturonan II (Peng et al, 2021). Here, we focus on pectic polymers and we aim at addressing the role of the biosynthesis and remodelling of pectin in mechanical properties of cell wall and in cell growth. Indeed, the ability of the cell wall to deform under forces mainly arises from its composition and the interlinking structure of its components (Cosgrove, 2022).

We use the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha as a model system, which is convenient for genomic and genetic approaches to investigate physiological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects of plant biology (Bowman et al. 2022). In particular, because of its low genetic redundancy, Marchantia circumvents the difficulties associated with the existence of multigenic families.

The postdoc project aims at understanding how does the biosynthesis or remodelling of pectin contribute to cell growth? After selection of candidate genes, the recruited person will build a collection of CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out mutant and overexpression lines (Sauret-Gueto et al., 2020) in which pectin synthesis or remodelling is impaired. The growth rates and elastic properties of individual Marchantia gemmae will be quantified in microfluidic devices, starting from an already established methodology (Laplaud et al., 2024).

Candidates are expected to have a background in molecular, cell and/or developmental biology, and to be interested in working in an interdisciplinary team. The postdoc will have access to all necessary materials and equipment. The start date is flexible and the initial contract will be of two years.To apply, contact Arezki Boudaoud ([e-mail] ) and Stéphanie Drevensek ([e-mail] ), providing curriculum vitæ, brief statement of research interests, and references. Applications will be considered from February 1st until a suitable candidate is selected.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• background in molecular, cell and/or developmental biology,
• interest in working in an interdisciplinary team