PhD position in Analysis of protein dynamics in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans. A PhD position is available in the Research group of Prof. Anne Spang at the Biozentrum, Basel. The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the leading institutes worldwide for molecular and biomedical basic research and teaching. It is home to more than 30 research groups with scientists from over 40 countries.Research at the Biozentrum focuses on the areas of Cell Growth & Development, Infection Biology, Neurobiology, Structural Biology & Biophysics and Computational & Systems Biology.
We invite applications for an Early Stage Researcher being part of the 4-years framework project «PolarNet» funded by the Marie Curie Innovative Training Networks action of the Horizon 2020 EU Research and Innovation programme. The project is a collaboration between the groups of Prof. Robert Arkowitz at CNRS/University of Nice, Dr. Mike Boxem (coordinator) and Prof. Sander van den Heuvel, University of Utrecht and Dr. Wieger Hemrika, U-Protein Express, Utrecht and other Universities.
For further information please contact the website: http://polarnet-itn.eu
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual that want to perform the Ph.D. studies in a multidisciplinary, intersectoral training and research network that will study the basic principles of cell polarity.
Project Description –
Key Objectives
The temporally and spatially controlled localization of proteins at the plasma is critical for the growth and development of single cellular and multicellular organisms. The balance of secretory and endocytic activities is crucial in determining growth rates, domain establishment and polarity at the plasma membrane. Key regulators of protein and membrane traffic are small GTPases of the ras super family. The activation and inactivation of these small GTPases depend on guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). The local restriction of these regulatory factors dictates the spatial activation of the GTPases.
In this project, we will determine the functional consequences of activating and inactivating small GTPases of the Arf and Rab families on polarized growth and development. In yeast, we will take advantage of two established light inducible targeting systems to regulate GTPase activity locally through GEFs and GAPs.
We will establish GTPase-regulator circuits important for polarized growth in yeast. This knowledge, we will transfer into another highly polarized cell: the C. elegans zygote. We will determine the effect of functionally interfering with the homologous GTPase-regulator circuits on polarity establishment and maintenance from the zygote to the 4-cell stage using RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 methodology. Finally, we will extend our findings to C. elegans intestinal epithelial cells.
Methodology
Optogenetics, live cell imaging, molecular biology and biochemical techniques, CRISPR-Cas9, standard yeast and C. elegans techniques.
- An exciting research project and a challenging position in a dynamic and successful research team.
- Scientific courses, conferences and summer schools, transferable skills training (writing, presenting, intellectual property), and personal development workshops and coaching.
- Rigorous standards of training and supervision, which includes establishment of a ‘Training and Supervision Agreement’ and yearly progress meetings.
- Remuneration according to the European Research Council (ERC) pay scale.
- Early-Stage Researchers shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
- Researchers can be of any nationality. All researchers recruited in an ITN must be Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) and undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another).
- The eligibility of the researcher will be determined at the first day of the employment for the purposes of the project (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract).
Applicants must fulfill the transnational mobility rules:
- Incoming applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the three (3) years immediately prior to the deadline for the submission of proposals.
- Re-integration applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the three (3) years immediately prior to the deadline for the submission of proposals, and show at least two (2) years’ of experience in research at the postdoctoral level in any other country, by the time they submit the application.
- A cover letter introducing yourself and your motivation for applying to the project and the PolarNet network.
- Your CV. On the first page, include your full name, date of birth, nationality, and e-mail.
- At least 2 references. Please include contact information (name, address, phone number, and email) and indicate your relationship to each reference.
- A copy of the diploma that makes you eligible to start a Ph.D. study (MSc or equivalent).
- A copy of your study transcripts that shows the credits earned as well as the grades obtained.
Follow the guidelines outlined on the recruitment page http://polarnet-itn.eu/recruitment/.
Send you application by e-mail to anne.spang@unibas.ch.