M/F Researcher RPE in in Biochemistry/Biophysics (Spectroscopy)

Job Description

Missions

Scientific field and topic:
This position falls within the field of bioenergetics and protein biochemistry. The project aims to study the role of an original extra-membrane structural module involved in the mechanism of utilization of membrane quinones during respiratory metabolism in certain prokaryotes.
Project description:
The researcher will be involved in a collaborative research project (ANR ForCE) between the Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering (BIP-UMR7281) and the Laboratory of Bacterial Chemistry (LCB-UMR7283). Under the supervision of Dr. Stéphane Grimaldi, the researcher will produce and characterize enzymes using this module in the model bacterium Escherichia coli.
Redox titration approaches coupled with EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy techniques will be used to stabilize and study the structure and binding mode of semiquinone-type radical species produced during the operation of these enzymes.
These approaches will make it possible to understand the role of the protein environment in tuning the redox properties of bound quinones and to locate the site within the three-dimensional structure. The use of specific bacterial strains will make it possible to address the question of the specificity of the interaction site toward different types of quinones with varying structures and redox potentials, in connection with the evolution of bioenergetic mechanisms.

Activity

The proposed project is multidisciplinary.
Main activities:
- Expression and purification of proteins of interest in different genetic contexts using the bacterial model Escherichia coli.
- Quantification of the proteins of interest and enzymatic assays monitored by spectrophotometry.
- Potentiometric titrations under anaerobic conditions and investigations using continuous-wave Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy under cryogenic conditions.
- Implementation and monitoring of hyperfine spectroscopy experiments (ESEEM/HYSCORE) in close collaboration with the engineers of the EPR platform.
- Analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
- Presentation of the progress of the work and results at laboratory/consortium meetings and at national and international scientific conferences.
- Contribution to the writing of activity reports, scientific publications, and grant applications related to the project.
- Regular monitoring of the scientific literature.
- Contribution to the training and supervision of students in the laboratory.

Your Profil

Skills

- PhD in Life Sciences (structural biochemistry/biophysics) or chemistry of living systems.
- Experience in biochemistry (protein expression, purification and quantification, enzymatic kinetics).
- Knowledge in biophysics/spectroscopy and redox chemistry.
- Personal skills: rigor, autonomy, and interest in multidisciplinary work. Ability to work in a team and to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.

Your Work Environment

This project will be carried out in a multidisciplinary environment combining biophysics and biochemistry, involving the teams of Stéphane Grimaldi (Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering, team “Biophysics of Metalloproteins and Dynamic Systems”) and Axel Magalon (Laboratory of Bacterial Chemistry, team “Microbial Respiration”), located on the CNRS Joseph Aiguier Campus.
Both laboratories are part of the Institut Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B) of Aix-Marseille University.
The researcher will particularly benefit from the advanced infrastructure of the Aix-Marseille EPR spectroscopy facility, hosted by the Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering (BIP-UMR7281), one of the main national sites for EPR spectrometry, which is connected to the national analytical chemistry research infrastructure Infranalytics.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

entre 3132 et 4343 euros brut mensuel

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

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