Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) – tRNA Modifications and Stress Adaptation in Clinical *Escherichia coli* Strains

Job Description

Missions

The successful candidate will investigate the impact of post-transcriptional modifications of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) on stress tolerance and adaptation in clinical strains of *Escherichia coli*. The project will combine experimental microbiology, bacterial genetics, CRISPRi approaches, and bioinformatics analyses to identify the molecular and genetic determinants underlying strain-to-strain differences in stress responses. In particular, the successful candidate will integrate phenotypic characterization, genetic perturbation, and comparative genomic analyses.

Activity

* Culture and handling of clinical *Escherichia coli* strains.
* Construction of bacterial mutant strains and plasmids.
* Construction, manipulation and/or screening of strain libraries, particularly using CRISPRi approaches.
* Development and implementation of phenotypic assays to assess bacterial growth, survival and tolerance under various stress conditions, particularly antimicrobial stress.
* Performance of microbiology, bacterial genetics and molecular biology techniques.
* Analysis of bacterial genomes and comparative genomics across different strains.
* Bioinformatic analysis of genomic data and identification of genetic variants associated with the observed phenotypes.
* Integration, statistical analysis and visualization of genomic and phenotypic data.
* Interpretation of experimental and bioinformatic results in the context of bacterial adaptation to stress.
* Contribution to the preparation of scientific publications and presentation of research findings.

Your Profil

Skills

* PhD in microbiology, bacterial genetics, molecular biology, genomics, or a related field.
* Strong experimental experience in bacterial microbiology.
* Demonstrated experience in bacterial genetics and strain construction.
* Experience in the construction and/or use of strain libraries using CRISPRi approaches.
* Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques.
* Experience in bacterial genome analysis and comparative genomics.
* Skills in bioinformatics applied to genomic data analysis.
* Experience in data analysis and visualization, particularly using R and/or Python.
* Ability to integrate experimental, genomic, and phenotypic data.
* Strong interest in the mechanisms of bacterial stress adaptation, antimicrobial tolerance, and translational regulation.
* Experience working with clinical *Escherichia coli* strains would be a significant asset.
* Ability to work independently, with scientific rigor and critical thinking, and to contribute to the scientific direction of the project.
* Good command of written and spoken scientific English.

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will join the “Epitranscriptional Responses to Antimicrobial Stress” team, led by Zeynep Baharoglu, within the Laboratory of Microbial Gene Expression at the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC) in Paris.

The team investigates the molecular mechanisms that enable bacteria to adapt to environmental and antimicrobial stresses, with a particular focus on post-transcriptional RNA modifications and their role in translational regulation.

The project will focus more specifically on clinical *Escherichia coli* strains and will combine approaches in microbiology, bacterial genetics, CRISPRi, comparative genomics, and bioinformatics. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with team members and with collaborators involved in genomic and bioinformatic analyses.

Constraints and risks

* Experimental work in a BSL-2 microbiology laboratory.
* Handling of clinical *Escherichia coli* strains under appropriate regulatory containment and safety conditions.
* Handling of genetically modified microorganisms.
* Strict compliance with hygiene and safety regulations and with procedures governing the handling of microorganisms.
* Routine use of molecular biology and microbiology equipment and reagents.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

based on the CNRS salary scales

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