PhD positions in the Institute of Microbiology, Bio energies and Biotechnology (IM2B) of Aix-Marseille Université

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD / R1: First stage Researcher
RESEARCH FIELD(S) AND DISCIPLINES1: Natural Sciences – Biology, Chemistry

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 
IM2B brings together the largest French network of world-class molecular microbiologists. It aims to explore the diversity and functioning of the microbial world, at the molecular, cellular and ecosystem levels, or through its close association with other organisms (plants, microbiota, etc.), with a view to developing innovative biotechnological solutions in the fields of bioenergies, environment and health.

The four PhD projects described below are eligible for funding under this call for applications. They are interdisciplinary projects based on inter-laboratory collaborations.

For each of the projects, the co-supervisors will select one applicant who will be interviewed by a jury. The audition will be held in English or in French, the 6th of June. At the end of the audition, two applicants will be selected and will be granted with a 3-year fellowship (gross monthly salary: € 2083).

The two awarded doctoral students will be granted €4,000 to attend international conferences or to follow training related to their research or professional project. In addition, through the Plinius doctoral programme, they will benefit from personalized support to train in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and prepare their professional project in an international and multidisciplinary environment.

PhD projects (for more details, click on the title)

• Heterogeneous chemo-enzymatic catalysis: an optimized immobilization strategy towards sustainability

Co-supervisors :

Yasmina MEKMOUCHE, Institut des sciences moléculaires de Marseille – iSm2 (y.mekmouche@univ-amu.fr)

Anne de POULPIQUET, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines – BIP (adepoulpiquet@imm.cnrs.fr)

• Polysaccharides utilization by Gram-positive bacteria. From genome mining to biochemical characterization

Co-supervisors :

Stéphanie PERRET, Laboratoire de chimie bactérienne – LCB (perret@imm.cnrs.fr)

Nicolas TERRAPON, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques– AFMB (nicolas.TERRAPON@univ-amu.fr)

• Enzymatic and Structural Characterization of iron oxidizing Protein from seafloor iron-rich microbial mats

Co-supervisors :

Hélène GAUSSIER, Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie – MIO (Helene.GAUSSIER@univ-amu.fr)

Matthieu NOUAILLER, Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires– LISM (matthieu.nouailler@univ-amu.fr)

• Investigating the bacterial cell-penetrating and cargo capacity of cell penetrating peptides by EPR spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

Co-supervisors :

Thierry DOAN, Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires – LISM (tdoan@imm.cnrs.fr)

Elisabetta MILEO, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines – BIP (emileo@imm.cnrs.fr)

About the Institute of Microbiology, Bioenergies and Biotechnology
Created in 2019 by Aix-Marseille Université, this Institute brings together more than 400 permanent staff, 380 Masters students and 120 PhD students, to strengthen interdisciplinary Research and Teaching in the field of Microbiology and its applications in Bioenergies, Environment and Health. Relying on a network of 11 internationally renowned research laboratories and a network of leading facilities, the IM2B brings together recognized expertise in viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and photosynthetic organisms. It covers a large range of approaches, including bioinformatics, mathematical modelling, structural and cellular biology, molecular genetics, biophysics, biochemistry, biodiversity, chemistry. The research effort of IM2B is focused on the integration of all the scales of study, from the atom to the ecosystem, and its biotechnological applications on the different systems studied. The targeted applications are in particular in the field of energy such as CO2 storage, production of biofuel, biogas or bioethanol, new bio-inspired materials, biosensing or biosourced molecules, but also in the field of the environment (biodepollution…) or health (infectious diseases).

For further information.

WHAT WE OFFER 
We offer 2 fellowships of 3-years (gross monthly salary: € 2044) with a €4,000 grant to attend international conferences or to follow training related to PhD student’s project.

The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME /HOURS PER WEEK: 35
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/04/2023 23:59
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2023
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
WORK LOCATION(S): Marseille

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 
The candidate must hold a Master2 degree by summer 2023. The expected profile of the candidates is specific to each PhD project and is available by clicking on the title of each project (offer description).

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, SELECTION PROCESS
Applications, in English, including a CV (specifying the English level), a cover letter, transcripts and ranking of Master degree (Master 1 and first semester of Master 2), and the contact information for at least two references.

WHERE TO APPLY 
Please send full applications to the supervisors of each PhD project by April 30th 2023.

More information on application process at: https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/actualites/call-applications-phd-positions