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Located on the Grenoble Scientific Polygon (ESRF/ILL/EMBL/IBS), the Institute of Structural Biology (IBS) is a national and international player in the field of integrated structural biology. At the same time a research centre, a technical platform, a reception and scientific training site, the IBS aims to develop research in structural biology, a field of research that is crucial for the understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms. It is based on 12 state-of-the-art platforms. As a joint research unit (CEA-CNRS-UGA) the IBS is composed of 20 research groups, each of these groups offering a multidisciplinary approach, at the frontiers of biology, physics and chemistry, in coherence with 3 research axes. Nearly 300 people work there, researchers, doctoral students, engineers and technicians in a multicultural and international environment. The recruited person will join the membrane and pathogens group.

https://www.ibs.fr/fr/recherche/proteines-membranaires-et-glycobiologie/groupe-membrane-et-pathogenes-f-fieschi/

This position is one of 15 doctoral positions in a European doctoral network, called Aureus, whose members are spread across 9 European countries, and which will be operational from 2022 to 2029. The groups involved range from synthetic chemistry and immunology to structural, computational and cellular biology.

The study aims to understand how Macrophage Galactose Lectin (MGL) recognizes teichoic acids (TA) on S. aureus surfaces. Recognition depends on TA arrangement and the dynamics of MGL's carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD).

Researchers will use microscopy, SPR, NMR, and X-ray scattering to investigate these interactions. Co-crystallization and X-ray crystallography of MGL with TA ligands may also be considered. This integrated approach seeks detailed insights into MGL-TA recognition mechanisms.

• Produce and purify MGL lectin
• Investigate the interaction of the protein with the surface of S. through an integrated structural biology approach, from cells to molecular details at atomic resolution
• Employ fluorescently labelled MGL to probe the interaction at the surface of S. aureus, by confocal and super-resolution microscopy
• Interaction between MGL and cell-surface polysaccharides will be characterised by Surface Plasmon Resonance, NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering. Co-crystallization of MGL with ligands could be also envisioned if required.

The doctoral candidate will work in collaboration with Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II (UNINA), Italy; National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Limited (NIBRT), Ireland and Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine (ICL), United Kingdom.

Gross salary : 2829,49€ + 600€ of mobility allowance

• Knowledge in biochemistry, microbiology and structural biology
• Knowledge in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
• Purification and characterization of proteins
• English (written/oral) level C1 spoken and written
• Ability to work independently and as a team player in a multidisciplinary environment
• Good communication skills (in the context of a multi-partner project on a European scale)

To be eligible to apply for this position under the European AUREUS project, applicants must meet the following criteria :

• You have not yet obtained (or successfully defended) a PhD
• You have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding your date of entry into service
• Compulsory national service, short-term stays such as holidays and time spent in a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account
• The research will be done in French or English, however it is expected that the non-French-speaking candidate will strive to learn the basics of French in order to facilitate communication and integration into the laboratory

The PhD candidate will have to perform secondments in other laboratories of the AUREUS Doctoral network for a duration of 3 to 4 months.

Applications (in English) must include :

• A cover letter, which includes the motivation for the position and should emphasize the candidate’s strengths regarding the project and the requirements (max 3 pages, font size 12 and single spacing, with figures if necessary). In the cover letter, the applicant should clearly indicate which other project(s), e.g. Project_DC#, the candidate applied to
• An updated CV (max 2 pages)
• The scanned copy of the diploma (usually the Master’s Degree), which formally entitles the applicant to embark on a doctorate degree. In case the Master’s Degree has not been obtained yet at the closing date for application, the candidate has to send a declaration signed by his/her supervisor or from the University stating that the degree will be obtained before the start date of PhD enrollment
• Letter of Recommendation from two appropriate referees or contact details of two references
• Transcripts of records