CDD Post-doc in yeast evolutionary genomics (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The post-doc will contribute to the ANR project EDGES (Evolving genomes beyond species boundaries), which investigates how genomes acquire, assimilate and evolve large amounts of foreign and extra-self DNA (fsDNA) in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The post-doc will lead work on the natural uptake of environmental DNA, the reprogramming of mating to enable interspecies hybridisation, and the adaptive potential of fsDNA through experimental evolution. The post-doc will also collaborate on other projects currently ongoing in the group (https://ircan.org/en/research/gianni-liti).

Activity

The post-doc will perform both experimental and computational analyses to determine how foreign DNA enters yeast cells, how it is maintained, and what its phenotypic and evolutionary consequences are. Main tasks:
* Design and use of a synthetic mini linear yeast artificial chromosome with a fluorescent reporter to measure natural DNA uptake across genetic backgrounds and ecologically relevant conditions, including cell sorting, transcriptomics and GWAS-based mapping of the genetic determinants of natural competence
* Engineering of a synthetic mating system to overcome prezygotic barriers and enable hybridisation and cytoduction between S. cerevisiae and distant non-Saccharomyces species, monitored at the single-cell level by fluorescence and time-lapse microscopy
* Adaptive laboratory evolution of strains carrying foreign or extra-self DNA under stress (e.g. high temperature, osmotic stress), with long-read Nanopore sequencing to follow fsDNA dynamics
* Phenotyping across the yeast life cycle (growth, mating, sporulation, quiescence, ageing) and testing of reproductive isolation between evolved and ancestral lineages
* Multi-omics characterisation (long-read sequencing, chromatin conformation capture, transcriptomics, proteomics) of evolved clones, in collaboration with the consortium partners (Sorbonne Université and Institut Pasteur)

Your Profil

Skills

* Previous experience in yeast genetics and genomics is essential
* Advanced knowledge of bioinformatics analysis of next-generation sequencing data and a strong statistical background are essential
* Experience in experimental evolution, synthetic biology or genome engineering (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9), flow cytometry/cell sorting, microscopy, and long-read sequencing is desired
* Good communication skills and the ability to work within a multi-team consortium

Your Work Environment

The postdoctoral fellow will be assigned to Dr Gianni LITI's team "Population genomics and complex traits". The team is one of the founding teams of IRCAN and is located at the Faculty of Medicine of Nice. The team has all the necessary equipment for yeast genetics and genomics experiments and has access to state-of-the-art microscopy, cytometry and genomics facilities as well as computing and storage servers. The work will be carried out within the EDGES consortium, in close collaboration with the teams of Gilles Fischer (Sorbonne Université) and Romain Koszul (Institut Pasteur).

Constraints and risks

The system we are working with (yeast) is known to be safe and non-pathogenic. Some of the chemicals used in the experiments are toxic and must be handled in accordance with the instructions. A safety induction will be given before the start of the experimental activities.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

The gross monthly salary ranges from 3072 € et 4613,64 € depending on previous professional 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

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