Postdoc (M/F) in molecular biology and biochemistry

Job Description

Missions

The EVOGEN team (https://www.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/equipe-intragenomic-conflict-and-evolution/) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to participate in a project aimed at elucidating the role of a heterochromatin protein during Drosophila spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is a complex biological process essential for species survival. One intriguing phenomenon that disrupts this process is sex-ratio (SR) meiotic drive, which alters normal inheritance patterns to bias offspring sex ratios. This mechanism, found in various organisms, manipulates sex chromosome segregation during meiosis, yet its molecular basis remains largely unknown. We study an X-linked (XSR) meiotic drive system, known as the Paris sex-ratio (SR) system, in D. simulans. In males carrying the XSR chromosome, we observe non-disjunction of the sister chromatids of the Y chromosome during meiosis II, resulting in defective spermatids that fail to produce functional sperm. Consequently, XSR carrying males produce strongly female-biased progeny (>90%). The drive is associated with a dysfunctional allele of HP1D2. HP1D2 exhibits three notable features: (1) It belongs to the Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) family, involved in heterochromatin regulation; (2) it originated from a duplication of the autosomal HP1D/Rhino gene; (3) HP1D2 is expressed in spermatogonia and binds the Y chromosome. The goal of this project is to characterize the function of HP1D2 during spermatogenesis and understand its contribution to the Paris SR meiotic drive.

Activity

The project comprises three major objectives:
1. Characterize the binding sites of HP1D2 on the Y chromosome. The postdoc will develop a CUT&Tag approach in Drosophila testes.
2. Identify HP1D2 protein partners. In collaboration with Peter Andersen (Aarhus University, Denmark), the postdoc will establish a TurboID proximity-labeling strategy in Drosophila testes.
3. Characterize the phenotypic impact of an HP1D2 knockout. The postdoc will design and generate a HP1D2 knockout line using transgenesis and assess its effects on spermatogenesis.

Your Profil

Skills

• PhD in biology (genetics, genomics, evolutionary biology, or related fields).
• Strong interest in molecular biology, evolutionary genetics, and genome regulation.
• A solid background in biochemistry (e.g., protein-protein interactions) is a strong asset. Experience with Drosophila, bioinformatics, or confocal microscopy is advantageous but not required.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Initiative and capacity to lead a research project.

Your Work Environment

The Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC) is a joint research unit (CNRS, CEA, and Université Paris Saclay) located on the CNRS campus of Gif sur Yvette. The institute is made up of around sixty research teams divided into five departments, as well as 17 high-level technological platforms. The project will be conducted within the “Intragenomic Conflict and Evolution – EVOGEN” team in the “Genome Biology”department. This 2-year postdoctoral position is funded through an ATIP-Avenir grant.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

€3131,32–€4526,02 gross per month (depending on 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