The newly established Plant Disease Dynamics group at ETH Zurich is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to study how transposons shape the biology of plant pathogenic fungi. The position can be tailored toward either a cell-biology track or a biochemistry/structural-biology track, depending on your background and interests. This role forms one of three pillars of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the mobility of Starship transposons and the genes they carry within plant-infecting fungal species.
Tasks
- Investigate the molecular mechanisms driving Starship transposon mobility and cargo capture, using an approach suited to your specialty.
- Cell biology track: develop and apply cellular and functional assays (e.g. confocal, single-cell sorting, membrane biology) to track Starship activity and passenger-gene mobilisation within living fungal cells.
- Biochemistry/structural biology track: express, purify and biochemically characterise Starship-encoded proteins (e.g. the Captain tyrosine recombinase and associated factors), and determine their structures to reveal how they recognise and mobilise cargo DNA.
- Establish and optimise experimental model systems for studying Starship transposon activity in the lab.
- Work closely with the lab's genomics postdoc to connect population-level patterns with mechanistic findings.
- Proactively manage the relevant experimental data and resources for your track.
- Supervise and mentor PhD and Masters students.
- Assist in the delivery of lectures or seminars for the Plant Disease Dynamics group.
- Write and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Apply for funding to develop research independence.
Requirements
- A PhD in fungal cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology or a related field.
- Evidence of research excellence and ambition through peer-reviewed publications.
- Prior experience relevant to your track: wet-lab fungal molecular genetics and cell biology techniques, or protein expression/purification and structural biology methods (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM or NMR).
- Evidence of commitment to reproducibility, e.g. through careful record-keeping, code repositories or open protocols.
- A strong desire to contribute to teaching of both undergraduate and Masters research students.
- A desire to establish an independent research area with support/mentorship from Prof. McDonald.
Benefits
- A dynamic and exciting research environment in a newly established ETH group.
- Access to state-of-the-art central facilities at ETH Zurich.
- Core budgetary support for consumables and IT infrastructure.
- Integration into the wider plant pathology research network spanning Prof. McDonald's career across four continents (USA, Switzerland, Australia, UK).
- An inclusive and supportive team that values diversity.
- Flexible working hours and partial home office if desired.
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Über uns
Das Team
The Plant Disease Dynamics group is newly established and forms part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project. The team includes a fungal genomics expert and offers an inclusive and supportive environment.