Postdoctoral position on DNA-based bacterial defence systems

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne's city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

Presentation

The Gruber Lab ) in the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne offers a postdoctoral position in structural biology of DNA-based immunity.

Job information

Expected start date: flexible, earliest 01 March 2026

Contract length: 1 year, renewable if funding is available

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny Campus

Your responsibilities

The Gruber Lab has an open position in structural biology to study the molecular mechanisms of DNA-based bacterial defence systems.

The genetic material in our cells is constantly challenged—by errors in DNA replication and chromosome segregation, by environmental insults, and by mobile genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids. Without active systems for repair, maintenance, and defence, cells would rapidly lose genomic integrity, leading to malfunction, disease, or death. The Gruber Lab uses relatively simple and tractable organisms to uncover widely conserved mechanisms underlying genome maintenance and defence against mobile genetic elements.

Through this project, we aim to reveal how molecular motors act on chromosomes, focusing on SMC protein complexes that mediate DNA loop extrusion and contribute to plasmid restriction in bacteria. We will investigate how SMC DNA motors translocate along DNA and how they interact with large obstacles such as RNA polymerase complexes, with the goal of determining whether and how SMC complexes can bypass these barriers. We have reconstituted the plasmid-restriction activity of the Wadjet SMC complex using purified components and obtained RNA polymerase from a collaboration partner to assemble transcription complexes on plasmid DNA for use as Wadjet substrates. By combining biochemical assays that measure plasmid-restriction activity with structural biology approaches, we will visualize how Wadjet engages and encounters RNA polymerase.

This role is ideal for candidates with a background in structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, and a strong interest in approaches to understanding and engineering molecular machines.

Your qualifications

• Ph.D. diploma (or planned defense at time of application)
• Good publication record (at least one first-author publication in an international peer-reviewed journal)
• Strong practical experience in molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology methods
• Enthusiasm for understanding molecular mechanisms
• Proficiency in English
• Strong personal drive for scientific research, a curious nature, and the capability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Strong computational skills are a plus

What the post offers you

You will join a motivated interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding molecular mechanisms in chromosome segregation and genome maintenance. Located in the Biophore building overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, our lab is embedded within the vibrant and international research environment of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne. Our state-of-the-art biology and computational lab space is supported by UNIL's excellent research infrastructure (e.g., computing cluster and sequencing, metabolomics, and microscopy facilities including a state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy facility, the Dubochet Center for Imaging). UNIL is deeply integrated within the broader Lausanne community and region, which offers ample opportunities for professional training and a rich cultural life.

Please visit our website for more information on our group, research interests, and publications:

Contact for further information

Prof. Stephan Gruber:

Your application

Application deadline: Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Please include your full application in PDF format, including a motivation letter, a CV with grades, a short description of previous research, and the contact information of two references.

Only applications through this website will be considered.

Complementary information

Seeking to promote an equitable representation of men and women among its staff, the University of Lausanne encourages applications from women.

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