PhD stipend in Thapsigargin biosynthesis and plant biochemistry M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Terpenes represent the largest group of natural products with wide ecological impact, industrial applications, including perfumes. With this PhD thesis we want to expand our knowledge of the biosynthesis of thapsigargin in the plant Thapsia garganica. We have already established the first couple of steps, but the remaining part needs to be elucidated.
The aim of the thesis, is to continue our efforts to establish full pathway of the sesquiterpenoid thapsigargin using contemporary biochemical technologies. The project is a collaboration between Henrik Toft Simonsen, Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales, St. Étienne, France and Frédéric Bourgaud, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Nancy.
The project will be performed in St. Etienne with shorter stays in Nancy. The biochemical studies will happen in St. Etienne, along with biotechnological studies in Nancy. The project will include first RNA extraction from different cells on the roots of the plant T. garganica, and performance of co-expression studies followed by In-planta (in Nicotiana benthamiana) biochemical characterization of the cytochrome P450s and other relevant enzymesfor the biosynthesis of Thapsigargin. Finally we aim to perform heterologous expression of the the discovered enzymes in yeast in Nancy.

Overall this project aims to elucidate the biosynthesis of thapsigargin, a molecule of major medical interest produced by a plant and already used in oncology and virology. Using cell mapping and metabolic engineering tools, we will investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms and aim to develop a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable production method for future commercial use.

Your Work Environment

We are looking for you that want to establish a career within Plant biochemistry and molecular biology with a strong focus on terpenoid biochemistry. At our laboratory (Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales, https://lbvpam.univ-st-etienne.fr/en/index.html) you will be able to make new discoveries in plant Biochemistry and join a research project that aim to go beyond current knowledge.
The project is funded by the CNRS MITI program, and thus the position will be following CNRS regulations, and the selected candidate will be enrolled into the l'école doctorale 488 Sciences Ingénierie Santé SIS (https://edsis.universite-lyon.fr).

We offer:
We offer a creative and stimulating international scientific environment, and access to state-of-the-art technologies. LBVpam is a leading laboratory in plant fragrance and terpenoid biochemistry and is globally recognized for the excellence of our research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

The preferred candidate must have a Master of Science (or engineering) degree in Molecular biology and/or Biochemistry or very similar fields, and preferably worked with plant molecular biology. The candidate should have some knowledge of bioinformatics and cell physiology. We expect that the PhD candidate have knowledge of enzyme characterization, cloning techniques, analytical chemistry, thus any knowledge in this is an advantage.
The candidate must be able to write and speak English at a scientific level, as this is the language of communication in the laboratories. The candidate should be willing to spend 2-3 months of the PhD studies in Nancy, France.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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