Description

Cellular organelles communicate through membrane contact sites, specialized regions where two organelles come into close proximity without fusion. These contacts play key roles in lipid and ion exchange, signaling, metabolism and organelle dynamics, yet the mechanisms controlling their formation and remode- ling remain only partially understood.


We are looking for a motivated PhD student to investigate the molecular mechanisms that organize and regulate membrane contact sites.


The project will investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling organelle contact sites, with a particular focus on VAP (VAMP-associated) proteins, key ER proteins involved in inter-organelle communication.


What you will do
The project will combine complementary approaches in cell and molecular biology, including:
• live-cell fluorescence microscopy and quantitative imaging;
• analysis of organelle dynamics and membrane contact sites;
• manipulation of proteins involved in inter-organelle communication;
• molecular biology and biochemical approaches.


Research environment
The project will be carried out at the IGBMC (Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology) in Strasbourg, France, an international and highly collaborative research institute with state-of-the-art facilities in cell imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry and proteomics.

Your profile
Applicants should hold, or be completing, a Master's degree or equivalent in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or a related field.