Postdoctoral researcher (M/F) in the biochemistry and biophysics of RNA systems

Job Description

Missions

Develop and experimentally characterise RNA networks capable of reproduction, variation and selection, and analyse the effects of compartmentalisation and physicochemical conditions on their evolutionary dynamics.

Activity

- Design, produce and purify functional RNAs and the components of reaction networks.
- Implement and characterise autocatalytic and self-reproducing RNA systems using biochemical and biophysical measurements and quantitative analyses.
- Investigate ligation, recombination, amplification and information-transfer reactions within RNA networks.
- Measure the effects of compartmentalisation, dilution, environmental cycles and other physicochemical constraints on network stability and dynamics.
- Analyse the relationship between molecular composition, reproduction rate, persistence, heredity and response to selection.
- Develop reproducible protocols, analyse data and document results.
- Contribute to PEPR Origins meetings, scientific reports, publications and project presentations.
- Take part in the team's scientific discussions, project collaborations, the unit's scientific activities, seminars and collective activities related to the project.

Your Profil

Skills

Knowledge: RNA biochemistry and molecular biology; reaction networks and autocatalysis; molecular evolution and selection; reaction kinetics; compartmentalisation and quantitative analysis; principles of fluorescence microscopy.

Technical skills: experimental design; nucleic acid preparation and purification; electrophoresis; enzymatic reactions; microscopy and image analysis; quantitative data processing; laboratory notebook keeping; scientific writing in English.

Personal qualities: experimental rigour, autonomy, organisational skills, teamwork, clear communication, and compliance with safety and scientific integrity rules.

Supervisory or coordination skills are not required for this position.

Your Work Environment

The position is part of PEPR Origins and the Synthetic Biosystems team's research on the emergence of evolving prebiotic systems. The project focuses on RNA reaction networks combining autocatalysis, molecular reproduction and mechanisms of variation and selection, in order to study the emergence of Darwinian properties.

The position is based in the Structural Biology of the Cell Laboratory (BIOC, UMR 7654, CNRS – École polytechnique), within the Synthetic Biosystems team, under the supervision of Prof. Philippe Nghe. The unit director is Emmanuelle Schmitt. The position does not include line-management responsibilities.

Available resources include laboratories equipped for RNA molecular biology and biochemistry, fluorescence microscopes, biophysical characterisation equipment, computing resources and access to the unit's core facilities.

Main contacts include Philippe Nghe, members of the Synthetic Biosystems team, BIOC management and services, PEPR Origins partners, experimental core facilities, and CNRS and École polytechnique support services.

Constraints and risks

Full-time position, standard laboratory working hours, with no on-call duties. Experimental work in a biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory. Personal protective equipment is required. Occasional travel for meetings or conferences may be necessary.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

EUR 3,131.32 to 3,569.85 gross per month, depending on experience (CNRS salary scale, less than 2 years of postdoctoral 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