PostDoc position in Biological Chemistry/Biochemistry/Proteomics at University of Strasbourg, France 

A renewable 6 month post-doctoral position is open at the ECPM (University of Strasbourg) to use activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)-based probes to evaluate the metabolism of the antiplasmodial drug plasmodione & derivatives, and to fish drug targets in living cells (E. coli, S, cerevisiae, P. falciparum). To circumvent the enhanced transmission of drug resistant malaria parasites to mosquitoes the team of the coordinator has developed an optimized plasmodione analogue with potent anti-gametocyte V and transmission-blocking properties. The postdoc project will use photoreactive plasmodione-derived alkynes as partners of the click reaction to fish and reveal target-protein adducts in mature P. falciparum rings and gametocytes upon irradiation and analyze them by mass spectrometry in chemical proteomics studies.

Project leader:

The project will be supervised by Dr. Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet, and integrated within a French/Swiss consortium working on novel antimalarial drugs and encompassing multiple disciplines: biological chemistry of redox-active antiparasitic compounds (Dr. Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet at LIMA-Strasbourg, & Marjorie Schmitt at LIMA-Mulhouse, UMR7042), mass spectrometry analysis & proteomics (Dr. Christine Schaeffer & Jean-Marc Strub) at IPHC, LSMBO, Strasbourg, Dr. Sarah Cianferani)), the biology of mosquitoes and malarial parasites (Dr Stephanie Blandin, MIR/M3I, IBMC, Strasbourg), and parasitology and drug screening (Prof. Pascal Maeser, University of Basel, Switzerland).

Project:

For the ROSkillers project, new selective activity-based probes were designed for the identification of plasmodione protein targets. A first proof-of-concept has been reported in vitro (Cichocki B. et al., JACSAu 2021, 1(5):669-689. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00025). The postdoctoral researcher will undertake the analysis of the global interactome of this promising agent in vivo, first in E. coli and/or S. cerevisae overexpressing flavoenzymes as models, and then in parasite asexual stages and in gametocytes using proteomics methodologies. Candidate targets will be then validated with genetic engineering in Plasmodium. .  

Activities and experience:

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a strong background in mass spectrometry analysis of proteins (fundamental criteria). Additional expertise in click chemistry and/or photoirradiation would be appreciated. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of scientific excellence, very good communication and writing skills as well as a strong commitment to experimental work. The candidate should be also able to perform independent research and be eager to engage in collaborations with co-workers within this project. Knowledge of the French language is not required. Thorough knowledge of English, both oral and written is mandatory.. 

Application:

Application deadline : 30/04/2022

Application e-mail : christine.schaeffer (at) unistra.fr, sblandin (at) unistra.fr , elisabeth.davioud (at) unistra.fr

JobOffer_post-doc_EUCOR2022_final.pdf

Position: 
External Recruitment Competition (permanent position) - Assistant Engineer in biology, life and earth sciences

Details:
Study of the cytoskeleton in Trypanosoma brucei and Toxoplasma gondii parasites using molecular and cell biology and imaging approaches.

Laboratory:
Team " Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton " (Dr Mélanie Bonhivers & Dr Derrick Robinson) of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, UMR 5234, CNRS-Université de Bordeaux

Skills and experience:

• General knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
• General knowledge of specific equipment: fluorescence microscopy, electrophoresis (DNA, proteins)
• Knowledge of hygiene and safety rules related to the handling of products and work in the L2 containment culture room
• Good knowledge of the English language (written, spoken)
• Knowledge of cell culture techniques (bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells), parasite culture is a plus
• Ability to work in a research module and in L2.
• Know how to use molecular biology techniques (cloning) and cell biology (immunostaining, transfection)
• Know how to use fluorescence microscopy techniques
• Know how to adapt technical protocols in consultation with project managers
• Know how to write technical procedures
• Know how to ensure the traceability of the processed data and the reproducibility of the analyses performed
• Know how to present the results in writing and orally in a clear and succinct manner.
• Know how to keep his/her laboratory notebook up to date.
• Rigor, experimental ethics
• Organizational skills, ability to manage several tasks in parallel
• Ability to work independently but in interaction with other members of the group (researchers, technicians, students, trainees) and of the department

Application :
Online : http://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/recrutements/itrf from 31 March 2022 to 28 April 2022

Job profile (in French):

https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/Universite/Recrutement/Concours-et-campagnes-de-recrutement/Concours-et-recrutements-ITRF-Session-2022
Fiche_poste_2022-ASI-Bap_A-SBM_MFP_UMR5234.pdf

Permanent position for an engineer in molecular biology (restricted to people who have a disability) 

An Engineer (“ingénieur d’étude”) permanent position is open in the lab in Tours for a molecular parasitologist. This position is restricted to people who have a disability.

If a putative candidate needs an advice regarding his/her eligibility to this position, he/she can contact evelyne.dupre (at sign) inrae.fr (human resources manager for the animal health division).

Projects leaders:

Contacts: Fabrice Laurent - fabrice.laurent (at sign) inrae.fr - & Julie Tottey - julie.tottey (at sign) inrae.fr

Lab:

The unit «Infectiology and Public Health» (1282 ISP) is a joined research unit hosting research teams from INRAE and the University of Tours. Within this unit, the team «Apicomplexa and Mucosal Immunity» (AIM) focuses on diseases caused by parasites multiplying in the digestive tract of livestock species and responsible for important economic losses: cryptosporidiosis in young ruminants and coccidiosis in poultry. With the aim to reduce the impact of these diseases, the team is developing approaches to enhance existing therapeutic options, or offer new alternative solutions taking societal demand into account. Cryptosporidium and Eimeria parasites have long been unresponsive to CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genetic modification but recent technological breakthrough in that field now allows (i) identification of important virulence factors (ii) identification of host response modulation (iii) vaccine production and (iv) validation of new molecular drug targets. 

Tasks and activities:

We are looking for a molecular biology engineer to join our dynamic team composed of 15 staff members including 5 researchers and 4 research technicians. You will play a key role in our team being the referent on parasite transgenesis and on the associated molecular engineering techniques. The engineer will support:
- monitoring of scientific literature on the development of transgenesis methods for Apicomplexa parasites.
- establish, develop and optimise autonomously innovative technological approaches in the field of transgenesis: loss and gain of function, inducible expression systems, stage-specific reporter gene expression, tagging... for Cryptosporidium and Eimeria.
- analyse -omics data (genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics) in interaction with the bioinformatics group hosted within the ISP research unit.
- exploit and analyse the results and data produced, and engage in their valorisation by participating in the writing of scientific publications.
- engage in activities related to the smooth running of the team: device and/or laboratory management and maintenance, protocol writing and update, and student training.
- comply with safety rules and regulation related to GMO handling.
- engage in technological projects set up together with the researchers in the team and in association with academic or private partners (French or international).
Your work will be associated to different research projects led by the researchers in the team.

Skills and experience:

- Scientific academic or engineering degree in biology with a very good experience in molecular biology.
- Ideally, the candidate will have experience in the genetic manipulation of apicomplexan parasites and on genome analysis.
- Very good knowledge of molecular approaches (ideally on parasites) and ability to analyse -mics data.
- Ability to innovate and monitor the scientific literature together with a strong affinity for new and innovative technologies.
- Rigour and organisation skills.
- Teamwork skills.
- Ability to interact with multiple collaborators (colleagues from the team, technological platforms, bioinformaticians, scientific collaborators).
- Very good English skills.

Details:

https://jobs.inrae.fr/handicap/campagne-handicap-ingenieurs-cadres-techniciens-h-f/ie22-sa-2