Post-doc position in Cell Biology at IJPB (Versailles, France)

POST-DOCTORAL POSITION
IJPB, Versailles, France

Recent results obtained in our group on the characterization of the
TON1, FASS/TON2 proteins and their partners uncovered converging
evidences pointing towards evolutionary conservation of some
centrosomal components at the plant cell's cortex. TON1 and FASS
themselves are related to proteins recently shown to localize at the
centrosome in animal cells. TON1 interacts with centrin, a key
component of eucaryotic MTOCs. Moreover, several TON1 and FASS
interactants belong to a new family of cytoskeleton-associated
proteins called TIM which are reminiscent of some animal centrosomal
proteins. These are the first indications ever for a functional and
evolutionary link between animal centrosomes and the cortical
cytoskeleton of plants, apart from gamma-tubulin dependent nucleation.
Through a collaboration between our group and the group of Marilyn
Vantard the successful candidate will work on the functional
characterization of TON1 and TIM proteins in plant cells, and of their
other interacting partners in the cell from a cytological, molecular
genetics and biochemical point of view.

The position is available for candidates with outstanding academic
record and excellent experimental and communication skills. It is
located in Versailles (France) for 30 months, starting January 2009.
Part of the work will be done in Grenoble, in Marilyn Vantard's group.
Salary is 2200-2500 euros per month.

Requirements : Candidates must have a PhD with an excellent academic
record. We are seeking individuals with a strong background in
genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and microscopy. Experience
in protein biochemistry and/or with fluorescent protein detection and
confocal laser scanning microscopy is a plus. Experience in plant
biology and knowledge of the French language are not mandatory.

Application : Please send cover letter, CV, publication reprints and
names and e-mail addresses of three references to David Bouchez ([Only registered users see links. ].fr
). The successful candidate will start in January 2009 or soon after.

Relevant publications :
Azimzadeh et al (2008). Arabidopsis TONNEAU1 proteins are essential
for preprophase band formation and interact with centrin. Plant Cell,
in press
Pastuglia & Bouchez (2007). Molecular encounters at microtubule ends
in the plant cell cortex. Curr Op Plant Biol 10:1-7
Pastuglia et al (2006). Gamma-tubulin is essential for microtubule
organization and development in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 18 : 1412-1425
Camilleri et al (2002). The Arabidopsis TONNEAU2 gene encodes a
putative novel PP2A regulatory subunit essential for the control of
cortical cytoskeleton. Plant Cell, 14 : 833-845.

The Jean-Pierre Bourgin Institute hosts 25 research groups devoted to
plant biology, totalizing 330 people, comprised of 230 permanent staff
and 100 post-docs, PhD students and others students. The IJPB has a
long-standing and respected expertise in the field of plant biology,
including genomics, genetics, breeding, metabolism, cell biology and
development. All tools and resources relevant for integrative plant
biology are available on site. Local facilities in Versailles include
outstanding experimental facilities dedicated to plant culture (4500
m2 glasshouses and 500 m2 controlled environment rooms), state of the
art technical platforms for Microscopy and Cytology (4 confocal
microscopes, classical microscopy, etc), Protein Biochemistry
(electrophoresis, chromatography, MALDI-TOF MS…), Chemistry (FT-IR,
several mass spec including GC-TOF and LC-MS/MS…), and Bioinformatics.

Further details and information : [Only registered users see links. ]


David Bouchez
Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin
Station de Génétique et Amélioration des Plantes
INRA Centre de Versailles - 78026 Versailles Cedex France
tel : +33 (0)1 30 83 33 94 - fax : +33 (0)1 30 83 33 19
e-mail : [Only registered users see links. ]
[Only registered users see links. ]

cytoskeleton group :
[Only registered users see links. ]