Research Engineer position - Expert in Biochemistry of tRNA

Institut de Biologie Structurale; France; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transport subsidy

Mobility allowance

Annual leave 44 days

Job summary

Institut de Biologie Structurale in Grenoble, France seeks a highly motivated research engineer to join the NMR of Large Assemblies (NMRLA) group. You will contribute to cutting-edge structural biology research by developing and optimizing tRNA production for advanced cell-free and biomolecular NMR applications.

The role involves setting up large-scale production, designing molecular biology protocols, and developing purification workflows in an RNase-free environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or engineering diploma in biochemistry, chemistry, biological engineering or molecular biology, plus two years of research experience in RNA (preferably tRNA) biochemistry, or a PhD in RNA biochemistry.
• Fluent English (level B2 or higher) is required.
• Knowledge of NMR is not a prerequisite.
• Ability to conceptualize, creativity, scientific curiosity, and a sense of innovation.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for setting up efficient large-scale in vitro and in vivo production of multiple tRNAs.
• Design molecular biology and enzymology techniques to produce homogeneous, functional tRNAs.
• Develop and optimise protocols to purify tRNAs on a large scale using FPLC chromatography under native conditions.
• Work in a dedicated RNase-free environment to ensure the highest quality RNA production.

Skills

RNA biochemistry

tRNA production

Molecular biology

Enzymology

Education

Master's degree in biochemistry/engineering

PhD in RNA biochemistry

Tools

FPLC chromatography

RNA purification techniques

Job description

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company Institut de Biologie Structurale Department CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 20 Dec 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 4 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101097926 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are seeking a highly motivated research engineer to join the NMR of Large Assemblies ( NMRLA ) group. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge structural biology research, focusing on the synthesis, purification and optimisation of tRNA for advanced cell-free and structural biology applications.

Your mission:

As part of our ERC-funded project, you will:

• Be responsible for setting up efficient large-scale in vitro and in vivo production of multiple tRNAs.
• Design molecular biology and enzymology techniquesto produce homogeneous, functional tRNAs.
• Develop and optimise protocols to purify tRNAs on a large scale using FPLC chromatography under native conditions.
• Work in a dedicated RNase-free environment to ensure the highest quality RNA production.
• Be part of a dynamics collaborative teams and contribute to the development of a novel interdisciplinarymethod that aims to reprogram the genetic code for the site-specific incorporation of isotope-labelled amino acids for use in biomolecular NMR applications.

Why this job is for you:

• High-impact research: Make a valuable contribution to groundbreaking advancementsin cell-free and structural biology technologies.
• Lead a tRNA synthesis project: Take responsability of a key project from design to production.
• Develop your expertise: enhance your skills in the reproducibility, scalability and optimisation of tRNA production.
• Collaborative environment: Thrive in a supportive, international and team-oriented setting that values innovation and cultural exchange.

Qualifications:

• A Master's degree or engineering diploma in biochemistry, chemistry, biological engineering or molecular biology, plus two years of research experience in RNA (preferably tRNA) biochemistry, or a PhDin RNA biochemistry.
• Interest in discovering biomolecular NMR: knowledge of NMR is not a prerequisite!
• Language skills: Fluent English (level B2 or higher) is required.
• Ability to conceptualize, creativity, scientific curiosity, and a sense of innovation.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) and teaching skills.
• Team player.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Gross Monthly Salary: €3,143 to €3,403 (depending on experience) + 75% of the cost public transportation is covered, plus a sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300.

Annual leave: 44 days

Eligibility criteria

Desired grade level: Applicant should hold a Master or Engineer degree with at least two years of research experience or a PhD degree.

Desired experience: 2 to 5 years including PhD

Selection process

Grenoble, France - A vibrant city nestled in the French Alps that offers an exceptional quality of life, a variety of outdoor activities and a thriving scientific community. It is close to the French Riviera, Italy and Switzerland and is served by international and national airports, as well as a high-speed rail network.

Located on the Grenoble science campus (ESFR/ILL/EMBL/IBS), the structural biology institute (IBS) is a leading national and international research institute in the field of integrated structural biology. The IBS is a research center, a technical infrastructure, a host site and a scientific training center. Its mission is to develop research in structural biology, a crucial field for understanding fundamental biological mechanisms. It is supported by 12 state-of-the-art facilities, including high field NMR facility equipped with 950, 850, 700 and 600 MHz NMR spectrometers, wet lab facilities dedicated to in vivo and in vitro protein expression and purification, and state-of-the-art imaging and biophysics facilities for sample characterization.
joint research unit (CEA-CNRS-UGA), the IBS is made up of 21 research groups, each offering a multidisciplinary approach at the frontiers of biology, physics and chemistry, in line with the IBS's 3 main lines of research. Nearly 300 people work at IBS as researchers, post-docs, PhD students, engineers and technicians in a multicultural and international environment.
The research engineer will join the NMR group studying large assemblies, which develops and applies advanced isotope labeling and NMR spectroscopy methods to study the structure, dynamics, and mechanisms of large protein complexes. The group, led by Dr. Boisbouvier, consists of a research director, three engineers, four postdocs, and five doctoral students.