Correlative single-molecule analysis of the DNA incision and DNA unwinding complexes in DNA mismatch repair.

PhD project:This project will use cutting-edge biophysical methods to decipher the relationship bewteen the molecular composition and catalytic activities of multisubunit DNA repair complexes invovled in mismatch repair (MMR). Correlative single-molecule methods combining DNA nanomanipulation and fluoresence will be used to quantitatively characterize key catalytic activities in repair including DNA incision and DNA unwinding processes (via nanomanipulation) while simultaneously interrogating the repair complexes in real-time as to the subunit composition enabling said activity (via fluorescence).

The successful candidate will benefit from interdisciplinary training in both biology and physics, including biochemistry and molecular biology, optics, programming, data analysis and mathematical modeling. Opportunities also exist to develop skills in organic chemistry and polymer physics.

This project will be hosted at CNRS (Paris, France), with long and short training visits to other consortium partners.

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a MSc in Biology (including for instance in biochemistry, structural biology, or biophysics) or Physics (including for instance statistical mechanics, optics, or biophysics) or closely related fields, good command of English (IELTS grade min. 6.5, or equivalent). We welcome applicants of all nationalities. Being able to present a certificate of good conduct is a condition for the appointment.

Terms of employment

The successful candidate will receive a temporary position for 3 years. The terms of employment are according to the statutes governing employment of PhD students under the administrative oversight of the CNRS. Additionally, employment terms for Marie Curie projects (https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/index_en.htm) apply.

Additionally, employment terms for Marie Curie projects (https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/index_en.htm) apply for the first three years of employment.

Contact information

For more information about this position and employment conditions with CNRS and Ecole Normale Supérieure, please contact Prof. Terence Strick (strick@biologie.ens.fr).

Eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply are listed on our vacancies page.

Application deadline for this position is March 15, 2017.