Missions

Glycosylation has a major impact on protein stability and activity. However, the expression systems traditionally used in laboratories and industry for protein expression are still unable to accurately reproduce this natural process. The microbiology platform and the CBO team at CERMAV are developing a biotechnological approach for protein glycosylation based on bacterial metabolic engineering of E. coli. In this context, the candidate will be responsible for developing new bacterial strains capable of glycosylating a therapeutic protein and evaluating the impact of this glycosylation on the protein's activity and stability.

Activities

Molecular biology (plasmid construction, gene inactivation, etc.)
High-density bacterial culture in bioreactors
Protein expression and purification
Characterization of glycoproteins using a range of techniques (electrophoresis, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, etc.)
Implementation of enzyme activity tests
Drafting of progress reports

Skills

The candidate must hold a PhD in biochemistry or biotechnology. He or she must demonstrate strong motivation for research at the chemistry-biology interface, good organizational skills, and autonomy. Knowledge of glyco-chemistry would be an advantage.

Work Context

This project will be carried out at CERMAV (UPR CNRS 5301) within the Oligosaccharide Chemistry and Biotechnology CBO team and the microbiology platform. CBO is a multidisciplinary team working at the interface of glyco-chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology, whose research activities focus on the production of biologically active oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. In collaboration with the microbiology platform, CBO has developed a unique synthesis approach based on metabolic engineering of bacteria. Fields of application include human health, agronomy, molecular probes for academic research. The project will also be developed in collaboration with the CERMAV chromatography platform and the mass spectrometry platform at the Grenoble Institute of Molecular Chemistry (ICMG, UAR 2607).

Benefits associated with this position include:
- On-site inter-company restaurant with subsidized rates
- Partial reimbursement of transportation costs up to 75%, sustainable mobility allowance (between €100 and €300/year, contribution to mutual health insurance
- site accessible by public transport (tram B), private parking and bicycle shelters
- vacation/RTT: 44 days/year (prorated to the duration of the fixed-term contract)
- 38.5-hour work week
- sustainable development policy