Missions

Experimental research activity in soft matter physics.

Activities

The candidate will use an original experimental set-up that allows one to follow in a time- and space-resolved fashion the propagation of polymer-degrading enzymes (using fluorescence imaging) in the biopolymer matrix, and the concomitant changes in polymer dynamics (using photon correlation imaging, an advanced dynamic light scattering method). He/she will vary the biomolecular properties (e.g. affinity for the polymer) of the enzymes, their confinement in the biopolymer matrix, and structure and viscoelasticity of the biopolymer matrix (e.g, using viscoelastic solutions and/or gels) in order to elucidate the coupling between biopolymer degradation and enzyme propagation in a medium degraded by the enzyme.
The work will be performed within the Soft Matter Team of the Laboratoire Charles Coulomb in Montpellier, France (https://www.softmatter-l2c.fr/), under the supervision of Laurence Ramos and Luca Cipelletti. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the whole team of the CATCHY project, which include experts in numerical simulations and in biopolymer and enzymology, based in IATE (Montpellier) and TBI (Toulouse).

Skills

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a solid background in condensed matter physics, soft matter or material science. Expertise in optics, light scattering techniques, data analysis with python and/or biopolymer is a plus but is not compulsory.

Work Context

The project is part of an interdisciplinary project (CATCHY) funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR).
A large variety of biological processes, as well as many recent innovations in pharmacology and biotechnology, are based on the deconstruction of a viscoelastic polymer matrix by polymer-degrading enzymes. The degradation is directional, with a front that moves with time as enzymes propagate into the matrix. The fundamental objective of CATCHY is to understand the physical and biochemical parameters that control the kinetics of the enzymatic degradation in this context. The central yet overlooked question is how the biomolecular properties and the local activity of the enzymes affect their overall progression in the system. This question is at the interface between soft matter physics, chemical physics, and enzymology. To successfully address it, CATCHY brings together researchers from these different communities within a unique transdisciplinary approach that combines state-of-the-art optical and light scattering techniques, molecular-dynamics simulations, and a strong expertise in enzyme engineering.
In Montpellier, we will use an original experimental set-up that allows one to follow in a time- and space-resolved fashion the propagation of polymer-degrading enzymes (using fluorescence imaging) in the biopolymer matrix, and the concomitant changes in polymer dynamics (using photon correlation imaging, an advanced dynamic light scattering method). We will vary the biomolecular properties (e.g. affinity for the polymer) of the enzymes, their confinement in the biopolymer matrix, and structure and viscoelasticity of the biopolymer matrix (e.g, using viscoelastic solutions and/or gels) in order to elucidate the coupling between biopolymer degradation and enzyme propagation in a medium degraded by the enzyme.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

no identified risk

Additional Information

To apply, please send a CV, a motivation letter and two references.