Research Engineer (M/F) in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology

Job Description

Missions

Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are bacterial nanomachines involved in the transfer of genetic material and intercellular communication. They play a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

This project aims to determine high-resolution structures of the T4SS pilus using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), with the clear objective of rapidly generating publishable structural data.

Activity

The Research Engineer will play a central and autonomous role in driving the project by:

i) Implementing established protocols for the production and purification of bacterial pili
ii) Performing quality control of samples using biochemical and structural approaches (Western blotting and negative-stain electron microscopy)
iii) Preparing samples for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), including grid preparation and optimization of vitrification conditions
iv) Interacting with cryo-EM facilities for data acquisition
v) Contributing to the analysis of structural data
vi) Participating in the dissemination of the results, with rapid publication expected

Your Profil

Skills

Qualifications:
Master's degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or Structural Biology

Essential skills:
Strong expertise in microbiological techniques
Experience in the purification and characterization of protein complexes
Knowledge of structural biology, ideally with experience in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)

Desirable skills:
Experience in cryo-EM image processing and analysis
Knowledge of complex bacterial systems (pili, flagella, and secretion systems)

Personal qualities:
High level of autonomy
Strong experimental rigor
Scientific curiosity
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team

Your Work Environment

The project will be carried out at the Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR) within the T4-SECRET research team, under the supervision of Kévin Macé.

The research environment includes:
i) Microbiology and biochemistry facilities (BSL-1/2 laboratories, ÄKTA protein purification systems)
ii) Access to a local cryo-electron microscope
iii) High-performance computing (HPC) resources
iv) Access to state-of-the-art facilities (ESRF, Jean Zay HPC, etc.)

The team is young, dynamic, and strongly focused on integrated approaches in structural biology. This project builds on a key experimental bottleneck that we have successfully overcome, paving the way for the rapid generation of high-impact structural data on bacterial secretion systems.

Constraints and risks

Experimental work will be conducted in a Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) laboratory, exclusively using non-pathogenic microorganisms. No specific risks are associated with the project.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

€2,496 to €2,662 (gross per month) depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions