[Coral-List] Job posting for Postdoctoral Researcher in Coral Microbiology and Bacterial Transformation

[Claudia Pogoreutz]

Dear Coral-listers,


see below for an exciting postdoc opportunity in coral microbiology with
Prof. Anders Meibom at the EPFL (Switzerland) and in collaboration with me.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.


all the best,

Claudia



Postdoctoral researcher in coral microbiology and bacterial transformation

EPFL

The Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry at EPFL directed by Prof. Anders
Meibom is looking for a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher.

Motivation and mission:

Tropical coral reef ecosystems are in global decline due to the effects of
global climate change. At the center of this ecosystem collapse is the
breakdown of symbiotic interactions within the coral holobiont, the
ecological unit comprising the cnidarian host and its microbial associates.
In recent years, it has been suggested that the functions and metabolic
pathways of diverse symbiont bacterial communities play a major role in the
resilience of coral holobionts to thermal stress. Within this project,
funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, we wish to better
understand the metabolic contribution of key bacterial functional groups
and, with novel genetic and molecular tools, facilitate the localization
and characterization of these bacterial communities within the coral
holobiont.



The candidate will adapt state-of-the-art tools to genetically transform
selected bacterial strains for correlative imaging approaches to visualize
the distribution and metabolic activity of bacteria in the intact
holobiont. Ultimately, this will permit the study of metabolic
inter-kingdom interactions and their role in coral holobiont functioning.

The Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry of Prof. Anders Meibom
investigates biological processes at the subcellular level using
cutting-edge micro-analytical tools. To this end, we use a suite of
isotopic labeling techniques in combination with micro- to nano-scale
analytical instruments, including Transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
Secondary electron microscopy (SEM), and Ion microprobe Secondary Ion Mass
spectroscopy (SIMS). Among the diverse range of projects in our laboratory,
we use these technologies to study metabolic interaction between cnidarians
(e.g. corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish) and their symbiotic partners,
such as microalgae and bacteria.

The successful candidate will also work with colleagues in the
Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML) at the EPFL, and will be
advised by Prof. Anders Meibom and Jr. Prof. Claudia Pogoreutz (CRIOBE;
University of Perpignan Via Domitia, France).

Keywords and concepts:

   -

   Bacterial isolation from reef-building corals
   -

   Maintenance and characterization of bacterial cultures
   -

   Construction of genetically transformed bacterial strains
   -

   Coral microbiome manipulation experiments
   -

   Histological preparation of samples for correlative fluorescence and
   NanoSIMS imaging applications


Your Profile:

   -

   A PhD in a relevant discipline (Microbiology, marine Biology, or
   related; preferentially less than 2 years after obtaining the PhD degree
   -

   Strong experience in bacterial transformation techniques
   -

   Strong experience in regular benchwork in microbiology and molecular
   biology
   -

   Field-work experience or willingness to perform field-work on tropical
   coral reefs
   -

   Experience with coral husbandry and/or manipulative aquarium experiments
   is an asset
   -

   Experience with optical imaging techniques and/or NanoSIMS analysis or
   willingness to obtain these skills at the LGB
   -

   Excellent oral and written English skills
   -

   French skills are an asset
   -

   Scientific writing skills as reflected in an excellent publication record
   -

   International experience in an asset


We offer:

   -

   Opportunity to work on multidisciplinary and cutting-edge projects using
   microbial transformation and imaging, including NanoSIMS analysis
   -

   Opportunity to access state-of-the-art research facilities and
   laboratory resources
   -

   A competitive Swiss postdoctoral salary
   -

   EPFL is an international and top ranking engineering university, offers
   a dynamic, stimulating, interdisciplinary, international and friendly
   working environment, a broad range of scientific training and networking
   events, and also hosts a vibrant entrepreneurial community
   -

   EPFL is an equal-opportunity employer. Candidates will be recruited
   based on merit


Start date:

As soon as possible, applications will be reviewed starting at the end of
April.

Term of employment:

Fixed-term (CDD)

Work rate:

100 %

Duration:

1 year, renewable up to 3 years

Your application should include:

   -

   Cover letter
   -

   Full CV including publication record
   -

   Contact information of 2 people who can provide letters of reference.


Contact: Please submit your application to Mme Michelle Wälti (
michelle.waelti at epfl.ch).