Post-doctoral position in computational methods for metabolic reprogramming

An 18 months post-doctoral position in computational systems and synthetic biology is available in the Computational Systems Biology Lab at Genoscope(Institute for Genomics, Life Sciences Department, CEA), Evry, France on the following topic :

“Design and application of computational methods for metabolic reprogramming”

The research of the Computational Systems Biology group at Genoscope (http://www.genoscope.cns.fr/bioinfo ) focuses on the study of microbial metabolism metabolism using constraint-based models and on the design of computational methods for synthetic biology.

The successful candidate will participate in the development of a computational framework aimed at helping with the reprogramming of microbial metabolism to perform a well-specified metabolic function. Starting from a non-modified microbial cell, a high-level specification of the metabolic function to be performed and a set of elementary metabolic and regulatory components, the goal is to generate one or several experimental strategies for metabolic reprogramming that are likely to yield the metabolic function. An experimental strategy is typically a sequence of steps of the following types : genetic modifications ( such as the insertion of a “biobrick” or the deletion of a gene), adaptive evolution, and assembly of partially engineered systems.

The computational framework will be tested for specific synthesis goals in collaboration with experimental groups.

Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemical Engineering, or Physics. Applicants with a background in computer science, physics or chemistry should document a strong interest for molecular biology at a research level. Previous exposure to synthetic biology, a working knowledge of biochemistry, experience with modelling metabolic networks, and/or experience in microbiology will be strong assets. The ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary environment will be essential.

The successful candidate will start in September 2008. To apply, please email a CV, list of publications and addresses of at least two referees to :
 Dr Vincent Schächter
 Computational Systems Biology Group
 Genoscope, CEA/DSV/IG
 Email