Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Microbiology at the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, Marseille (France), beginning January 2019 (or as soon as possible thereafter), to be funded by the ERC-2016-STG STRINGENCY. The initial appointment will be for two years, with a possible renewal for a third year.

Our work is focusing on the general bacterial stress response known as “the stringent response”. This response is induced by nutritional or environmental stresses and allow bacteria to rapidly adapt and thereby survive unpredictable harmful conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms by which environmental cues activate the stringent response are still largely unknown and represent one of the most fundamental problems in prokaryotic molecular biology. The stringent response is also required for antibiotic tolerance and virulence of almost all bacterial pathogens, strongly arguing that novel insights into (p)ppGpp biology will lead to novel methods to combat infections. Our objectives are to better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of the enzymes responsible for synthesis and degradation of (p)ppGpp with special emphasis on their role in bacterial stress response.

Job description

• To strengthen our team, we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Molecular Microbiologist.
• The successful candidate will be in charge of deciphering the functional network that control the spoT encoded ppGpp synthetase and hydrolase activities in Escherichia coli.
• She/He will play an active role in the current research of the group and will also be actively involved in the design of new research concepts.
• Applicants should hold a PhD-degree within the area of bacterial genetics or biochemistry. Skill in the field of molecular microbiology is essential but applicant familiar with bacterial stress responses physiology will be preferred.