Postdoc Erdmann Group - Milano, Italia - Human Technopole

Human Technopole

Azienda verificata

Milano, Italia

2 settimane fa

Inviato da:

Piero Bianchi

Reclutatore di talenti per beBee

Descrizione

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:
February 24th, 2024

Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary life science research institute, created and supported by the Italian Government, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to improve human health.

HT is composed of five Centers:
Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, Neurogenomics and Health Data Science.

The Centers work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.

As main tools, the Erdmann lab uses cryo-focused ion beam milling and cryo-electron tomography to investigate cells "in situ" and to establish a "biopsy at the nanoscale".

However, identifying molecules in the complex environment of cells is challenging. Electron-dense materials commonly used to label proteins at room temperature have been tried under cryogenic conditions with limited success.

In cryo-ET, visual proteomics attempts to identify cellular proteins based on their characteristic shape, e.g., by template matching (TM) or machine learning (ML).

In practice, however, it is limited to large and very abundant complexes such as the ribosome. Furthermore, many target structures may be part of larger assemblies, embedded in membranes, or even intrinsically disordered.

Like GFP, ideal markers for cryo-EM should be genetically encoded, monomeric, and provide unique "signals". What if visual proteomics, hence identifying cellular components by their shape, could also be used to label proteins? Couldn't structure rather than electron density be a defining labelling signal?

To explore this idea, the Erdmann Lab has recently received funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and is looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will create a series of tags based on designed, non-natural protein origami nanostructures with unique geometric shapes.

Combined with advanced template matching techniques, these "GEOtags" could solve the long-sought problem of identifying small, membrane-bound, or inherently disordered proteins in cells and tissues by cryo-fluorescence and electron microscopy (CLEM).

Your main tasks and responsibilities:

Design, create, and evaluate cryoCLEM labels based on protein origami nanostructures.
Generate data and document the results for later publication.
Provide technical support and guidance to (junior) lab members, including teaching of new techniques and providing support in the use of lab equipment.

Mandatory requirements

PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, or structural biology (obtained within 1 month after the call closure).
Experience in either single particle cryoEM or cryoET.

Fluency in English

HT is an international research institute.
Autonomy in cell culture of mammalian, insect, and bacterial cells.
Experience in standard wet lab techniques such as cloning, protein production (mammalian, bacterial, insect), affinity purification, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, westernblot analysis, etc.
Knowledge of biophysical techniques for the study of protein stability (e.g. DLS, ITC, etc.).

Preferred requirements

FIB/SEM experience are considered highly beneficial.
Data processing, analysis, and visualization for structural biology.
Experience in confocal or similar light microscopy.

Organizational and social skills**- Ability to adapt to competing priorities and to work independently.

Interest to learn or develop new methodologies.
Strong interpersonal skills. Teamwork is key
Ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment.

Application Instructions
- a full CV.
- a motivation letter.
- two reference letters.

WHY HUMAN TECHNOPOLE?

HT seeks for
scientific excellence, we recruit the best scientific talents through international, open calls and meritocratic selection procedures.
Our working environment is
international,
friendly and
inclusive. Our scientists
work together across disciplines on research topics of biomedical relevance,
leveraging synergies between their diverse skillsets and methodological approaches.
We believe that
highly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative results

We engage in
outwardfacing scientific activities aimed at benefiting the national and international
research community. Training is also at the heart of our activity, with initiatives and opportunities for our staff, including scientific courses, conferences and workshops.

Main
benefits

Welfare plans.
Canteen service.
Worklife balance provisions.
Italian language training for foreigners.
Maternity leave up to 1 year and other support for new parents.
Counseling.
Possibility of flexible working hours
Support for relocation.

Number of positions offered: 1

Location:

Milan

Contract offered:
CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, fixed-term 2 years - employee level.

**Salary i