How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates. Become part of our community!
Professor Anne Spang is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow in Biochemistry to elucidate the structure and function of the FERARI tethering complex.
The Project:
Inter- and intracellular communication is one of the basics of eukaryotic life. Exo- and endocytic transport are essential components for this communication. Most of the endoytosed material is returned to the plasma membrane through recycling pathways. We have identified a key regulator of the Rab11 recycling pathway, the tethering complex FERARI (Solinger, Rashid et al. Nat. Cell Biol. 2020). FERARI is an unusual tether as it combines membrane fusion and membrane fission activities to promote kiss-and-run of Rab11-positive recycling vesicles with sorting endosomes. More recently, we also showed that FERARI can also promote kiss-and-run of early endocytic Rab5 positive-vesicles with sorting endosomes (Solinger et al., Nat. Comm, 2022). In order to understand how these processes are regulated and coordinated by FERARI, we aim to biochemically elucidate and recapitulate FERARI function in vitro.
Your Profile
Interested candidates should hold a PhD and have a proven record in biochemistry. A background in cell biology and/or cryo EM is advantageous. High intrinsic motivation, ability to work independently as well as in a team, perseverance and creativity are expected.
We Offer
We are a highly interdisciplinary, international, divers and supportive team of scientists, committed to work at the frontier of science and to solve fundamental questions about cellular function and organization. We offer an interactive environment in which you can broaden your horizon, develop new ideas and your independence, and grow as a scientist and a professional. The Biozentrum of the University of Basel provides a highly stimulating, international and collaborative research environment with state-or-the-art infrastructure and support facilities in a brand-new building.
Basel is an international city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet, Basel is home for a large number of institutions for biomedical research, with numerous possibilities for training, networking and career development. The city provides a high standard of living and a rich and varied cultural atmosphere.
Application / Contact
Please apply online by October 15, 2023: https://biped2.biozentrum.unibas.ch/apply/postdoc-biochemistry-spang-lab
The application should include a brief personal statement, explaining how your qualifications and experience relate to the role, together with a full, up-to-date CV. Please arrange for at least two reference letters to be sent to anne.spang@unibas.ch.
Review of applications will start immediately.
Please note that only online applications will be considered.
For any informal enquiries, please contact: anne.spangunibasch