Applications are invited for a CNRS Research Engineer or Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Microbiology at the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne Marseille, France starting April 2018 (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. 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 .

Project background

• The work the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne Marseille is focused 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.

Eligibility criteria

• To apply for the position, candidates must hold an internationally-recognized PhD degree in Molecular Microbiology
• Experience in the field of molecular microbiology is pivotal but a candidate familiar with the field of bacterial stress responses, bacterial genetics and regulation will be preferred.
• Excellent written and spoken English is a requirement for the position.

Applications should be submitted by email to Etienne Maisonneuve: emaisonneuve@imm.cnrs.fr