A 3 year post-doc position is available at the Institut Curie (Paris, France), both in the Laboratories PhysicoChimie Curie and Compartimentation et Dynamique Cellulaires. The project is financially supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Coord.: E. Coudrier ).
Recent progress in studying the role of myosins in membrane traffic has provided new insight on the link between these motors and other protein machineries involved in trafficking. The challenge now is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which these myosins contribute to membrane traffic and whether they act in a coordinated way with the other protein complexes to control the shape of organelles. The goal of our project is to unravel the molecular mechanism by which one of the single headed myosin involved in membrane traffic, myosin1b (Myo1b) regulates the traffic along the endocytic pathway. The mechanochemical properties of Myo1b suggest that it is a membrane-associated motor able to develop tension on membrane domains. In controlling the site of polymerisation of actin on sorting endosomes, Myo1b may localise and transduce the force generated by actin polymerization on the membrane of endosomes and thereby be one of the players involved in membrane budding or membrane scission. The objective of the post-doc will be to develop biomimetic assays to measure the force generated by Myo1b and determine whether this force contributes to membrane tension of endosomes and control their shape. The project will involve Myosin 1b and mutants purification, in vitro study of its interaction with lipid membranes, and eventually physical measurements of membrane tension and forces using optical tweezers on Giant liposomes
This project involves different teams in the Curie Institute, working in cell biology (E. Coudrier), electron microscopy (G. Raposos and D. Lévy) and biophysics (P. Bassereau and C. Sykes).
Profile: The applicant should have a PhD in experimental physics, chemical engineering or biophysics, and show interest for interdisciplinary work at the interface between physics, biology and biochemistry. Experience in membrane micromanipulation would be appreciated, but is not absolutely required. There is no nationality restriction.
If you are interested by this proposal, please send your CV, a motivation letter, and contact information of two researchers with whom you have worked in the past.
CONTACTS :
1- Patricia BASSEREAU
phone : +33 (0)1 56 24 67 84
2- Evelyne COUDRIER
phone: +33(0)156 24 63 70
http://www.curie.fr/equipe/26
2. FACULTY POSITIONS AT THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY The Rockefeller University seeks exceptional, interactive, and creative scientists to join its faculty. We invite applications from outstanding candidates for tenure-track positions and also encourage tenured scientists to apply, provided that they are at an early stage of their career.
The Rockefeller University provides strong financial support for the research work of its faculty. The positions offer highly competitive salary, benefits and start-up funds, new or recently renovated laboratory space, access to numerous state-of-the art core facilities and extensive opportunities for collaboration both within the University and with neighboring institutions. The University also provides very strong continuing support for research work beyond start-up, including full support for graduate students.
The University has a laboratory based organization structure that fosters interdisciplinary research in the following areas:
- Physical & Mathematical Biology
- Chemical and Structural Biology
- Neurosciences and Behavior
- Immunology, Virology and Microbiology
- Medical Sciences and Human Genetics
- Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
- Organismal Biology, Evolution & Ecology
Details about specific subjects of research can be found at
http://www.rockefeller.edu/facultysearch.
Applications are being accepted electronically through our
Online Application System at http://oas.rockefeller.edu. Applicants should follow the online application procedure.
The deadline for receipt of applications is October 16, 2009.
If you have questions regarding submitting an application, please contact our Administrator at
facultysearch@rockefeller.edu.
The Rockefeller University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA Employer and solicits applications from women and under-represented minorities.