General information
Offer title : M/F researcher on fixed-term contract in biophysics of tissue fluidization during embryonic development (H/F)
Reference : UMR7325-VALSEV-129
Number of position : 1
Workplace : MARSEILLE 09
Date of publication : 19 November 2024
Type of Contract : Researcher in FTC
Contract Period : 12 months
Expected date of employment : 1 January 2025
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : 3081 euros gross salary/month
Desired level of education : Doctorate
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : 5 - Condensed matter: organisations and dynamics
Missions
The aim of this project is to uncover the cellular mechanisms that drive tissue fluidization during embryonic development. Specifically, we seek to understand the effects that fluctuations in tension at cell-cell contacts play in cell rearrangements, which underlie tissue fluidization, and the dependence of said fluctuations on non-equilibrium, energy-consuming effects.
Activities
To accomplish these objectives, the postdoc will perform live imaging of embryonic development in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster at organism-, tissue-, and cell-scale resolution under different environmental, mutant, and drug conditions.
They will then use a combination of new and existing data analysis techniques to extract quantitative information about the system. Image analysis software such as FIJI and Python will be used for segmentation and cell tracking to extract cellular and subcellular dynamics. In parallel, they will implement and adapt recently developed tools to extract the relative contributions of thermal and non-equilibrium processes to these dynamics.
Skills
The postdoctoral researcher should have:
- a background in experimental physics of biological systems and/or soft matter
- experimental laboratory research experience
- a good knowledge of imaging, preferably confocal microscopy
- experience with image analysis (eg FIJI) and programming (eg Python)
- a good command of English
Work Context
The project will take place at the Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (UMR 7325), Department of Physics and Engineering of Living Systems, team led by Emily Gehrels.
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
Constraints: feeding of fruit flies every two weeks, even during vacations. Risks linked to: chemical products, biological agents, radiation, isolated work, work on screens.
The contract may be renewed for 18 months