Missions

The candidate (M/F) will join a research project on Salmonella enterica, a major enteric pathogen particularly known for its intrinsic antibiotic resistance. The project aims to elucidate the role of the use of exogenous siderophores by Salmonella in the intestinal colonization process and during its intracellular proliferation. Iron acquisition is a key step for the survival and virulence of this pathogen, and exploiting exogenous sources of siderophores could represent a decisive strategy in its ability to adapt to different host environments. This work is part of a project supported by the National Research Agency (ANR) and employs complementary approaches in microbiology, cell biology, and host-pathogen interaction analyses. The candidate (M/F) will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments on infection models, examining Salmonella's iron capture mechanisms, analyzing results independently and critically, and actively contributing to their interpretation and scientific valorization.

Activities

Main activities:
• Conduct bacterial culture experiments of Salmonella under controlled conditions
• Study the effect of exogenous siderophores on bacterial growth and survival
• Perform infections on cellular models to analyze intestinal colonization and intracellular proliferation
• Analyze bacterial and cellular responses using cell biology techniques, flow cytometry, and microscopy (fluorescence, confocal microscopy)
• Design and implement molecular biology strategies (targeted mutagenesis, construction of fluorescent reporter strains)
• Exploit and analyze experimental data, present results clearly and rigorously
• Participate in the interpretation and scientific valorization of the work (writing reports, contributing to publications and presentations)
• Work independently and responsibly in a multidisciplinary team environment
Secondary activities:
• Participate in the general functioning of the laboratory (stock management, ordering consumables, maintenance of BSL-2 containment equipment)
• Contribute to group meetings and the dissemination of scientific knowledge within the team

Skills

Previous experience in microbiology and molecular biology is essential. The candidate (M/F) must master bacterial culture techniques, including working with pathogenic strains under BSL-2 containment conditions. Experience with infectious cell models (eukaryotic cell culture, bacterial infections) will be highly valued. Expertise in cytometry, gene deletion strain construction, and the development of fluorescent reporter strains is particularly critical. Proficiency in fluorescence microscopy imaging techniques, especially using a confocal microscope, will be a major asset for analyzing colonization and intracellular proliferation. Skills in scientific image processing and quantification (for example, using ImageJ/Fiji or equivalents) are also desired.

The position requires good command of English, both written and spoken, for analyzing scientific literature, participating in international exchanges, and writing reports and scientific articles. Finally, the candidate (M/F) is expected to integrate well into a multidisciplinary team, demonstrate autonomy and rigor in conducting experimental work, and regularly and systematically report on the progress of their experiments.

Work Context

The candidate (M/F) will work in the Metals and Microorganisms: Biology, Chemistry, and Applications team within UMR7242, located at the Research Institute of the Strasbourg Graduate School of Biotechnology (ESBS). The biology team's website is: https://bsc.unistra.fr/en/research-teams/team-schalkmislin/presentation/. The team consists of about 23 people, including biologists and chemists, promoting an interdisciplinary approach to scientific challenges.
This work is part of a project supported by the National Research Agency (ANR).
The candidate (M/F) will benefit from:
• Access to the laboratory via tram
• A collective CROUS restaurant on campus
• Transport benefits: coverage of 75% of transportation costs and a mobility allowance up to 300€, depending on conditions
• Social offers: participation in health insurance, Social Action and Solidarity Committee (sports, leisure, ticketing, etc.)
• 44 days of leave plus RTT days per year
• Possibility of remote work

Constraints and risks

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