[ccp4bb] Postdoctoral positions in structural biology of fertilization at Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University

Thanks to a long-term grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation, our team (http://jovinelab.org) has openings for two postdoctoral fellows to study the molecular basis of gamete recognition by cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography.

Position 1 - Molecular mechanism of egg-sperm interaction at fertilization by single-particle cryo-EM

This project will benefit from a close collaboration with Alexey Amunts at SciLifeLab, as well as easy access to local cryo-EM facilities (Stockholm node of the Cryo-EM Swedish National Facility and KI 3D-EM) that together include 3 x Titan Krios with K3 detectors, a Talos Arctica with K2 and a Talos L120C with Ceta-D. Joining our groups will thus provide a unique opportunity to build upon the strengths of two complementary labs and state-of-the-art technology, in order to tackle one of the most fundamental questions in biology and understand how life begins.

Candidates must hold (or be about to receive) a Ph.D. degree and have significant hands-on experience in structural biology. Although proven experience in single-particle cryo-EM and knowledge of helical reconstruction will constitute an advantage, excellent candidates with experience in X-ray crystallography and a strong interest in learning cryo-EM will also be taken into consideration. Additionally, previous experience in mammalian cell _expression_ as well as purification and biochemical characterization of glycoproteins will be considered an asset. At least one first author paper in a high-quality international peer-reviewed journal, fluency in English (both written and oral), good team spirit and a very strong personal drive to excel in science are required.

For more information about this position, please send an e-mail to luca.jovine@ki.se and amunts@scilifelab.se. To apply, please use the following link (deadline 20 September 2020 at 12:00):

https://ki.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:339767/type:job/where:4/apply:1

Position 2 - Structural dynamics of the egg coat at fertilization by cryo-ET

The aim of this project will be to shed light on fertilization by using cryo-ET to image different stages of interaction between gametes. By imaging frozen-hydrated samples, we will focus on resolving the overall architecture of the mammalian zona pellucida and related egg coats, as well as investigating how changes in the structure of these extracellular matrices contribute to the block to polyspermy.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with Linda Sandblad at Umeå University associated with the Umeå Core facility for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) The position will be located in the Chemical Biological Centre (KBC) building at Umeå University, but may also require short visits at our KI laboratory.

Available for the project are a TFS Titan Krios instrument with both Falcon 3 and K2 direct electron detectors, a Scios DualBeam SEM with Aquilos-upgraded cryo-FIB and a Leica Thunder fluorescence microscope with cryo-stage, as well as full access to all additional instruments and sample preparation equipment at both UCEM and Biochemical Imaging Centre Umeå (BICU).

Qualified applicants should have a Ph.D. degree (or be about to receive one), at least one first-author publication in a high-quality international peer-reviewed journal and documented experience in biochemistry and cryo-EM, together with strong computational skills as well as good knowledge of developmental biology. Candidates must be able to carry out independent scientific research work and to write scientific reports and manuscripts. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability, organizational skills and ability to collaborate with other members of the lab and the EM facility staff, as well as on genuine enthusiasm for the research area and methodology.

For more information about this position, please send an e-mail to luca.jovine@ki.se and linda.sandblad@umu.se. To apply, please use the following link (deadline 19 August 2020):

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/fellowships-and-grants/6-1250-20

Recognition and fusion of the egg and sperm marks the beginning of the life of a new individual. Join these projects to shed light on a biological event that is not only fundamental from a basic science point of view, but has also major implications for the future of human reproductive medicine!

With best wishes,

Luca