The Epigenetics of Stem Cells lab is using a combination of chromatin biology, cell biology and computational sciences to understand how mitosis impacts gene regulatory processes in pluripotent cells. We are now expanding our work to other stem cell populations and early mouse embryos. Within the framework of an ERC Consolidator grant we are hiring three Post-Doctoral researchers, as detailed below. This project requires particularly original and open-minded scientists to develop new ideas regarding how the functional interplay between mitotic regulators, transcription factors and chromatin states, influence cell identity. We expect the successful candidates to be capable of working autonomously and develop their own line of research within the framework of our goals and scientific interests.
The global aim of our project is to tackle a major question in stem cell and developmental biology: how do Transcription Factors (TFs) maintain cell identities? We study this question from the perspective of mitotic bookmarking: our hypothesis is that this represents a key process impacting cell fate acquisition and maintenance, epigenetic regulation across all forms of chromatin and, finally, the mechanisms of mitosis. The model of choice, early embryonic development and its associated stem cells, focus this question on the role of these mechanisms in vivo. We plan to study a wide range of phenomena from the local state of nucleosomes to the dynamics of a network. Notably, we will weigh the contribution and relationships of epigenetic regulation and bookmarking TFs in the context of euchromatin and heterochromatin.
To achieve our aims we invite Post-Doc applications to study:
- how the fundamental mechanisms of mitosis are connected to gene regulatory events during cell division. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Cell Biology and will preferentially be experienced in the study of mitosis. Previous training in microscopy and imaging will be an asset.
- how the properties of the chromatin during mitosis are controlled by TFs and how this impacts gene regulation during and after cell division. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Molecular Biology or Biochemistry and should have a strong background in epigenomics.
- how mitosis influences gene expression during self-renewal, differentiation and development. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Computational Sciences and be experienced in Omics data analysis. A strong background in modeling and statistics will be positively evaluated.
Starting after September 2018, the appointments will be made for 30 months. Successful candidates may apply to independent fellowships; at least one 1st author paper from their PhD is mandatory. They will work in collaboration with Master/PhD students to get training in mentoring and research organization. Successful candidates should be strongly motivated, highly collaborative, and have good communication skills in English. We offer a competitive salary according to Institut Pasteur standards, excellent working conditions, and an intellectually rich environment in the dynamic city of Paris.
Applications should be submitted to pablo.navarro-gil@pasteur.fr and include a cover letter describing your interest in the position, a detailed CV, a brief description of previous research (below 1 page), publications list, plus the contact details of at least two referees.