Postdoc “Multiscale organization of ciliated epithelia” – Kodjabachian team, IBDM, Marseille, France

The Kodjabachian lab at the Institute of Developmental Biology of Marseille (IBDM) is seeking a talented postdoctoral scientist with strong background in Cell and/or Developmental Biology, and a keen interest in integrative quantitative biology and interdisciplinary research. Our lab uses advanced imaging techniques (such as confocal videomicroscopy, super-resolution microscopy and 3D electron microscopy) to study the biology of ciliated epithelia at multiple scales.

In vertebrate ciliated epithelia, flows of biological fluids are powered by the coordinated beating of myriads of cilia harbored by multiciliated cells (MCC). This highly choreographed phenomenon raises many biological as well as physical questions among which, MCC spatial organization and at a lower scale centriole multiplication and orientation, as cilia stand upon modified centrioles called basal bodies. The selected candidate will join efforts to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, using Xenopus epidermis, inducible MCC culture, and mouse post-natal brain as models.

IBDM offers a vibrant, international, and interactive environment to study the fundamental principles of cell and developmental biology. Furthermore, collaboration with theoreticians, physicists and numerical simulators are being developed on campus, from which our team has started to benefit.

The ideal candidate must hold a PhD for less than two years, and have skills in cell culture, cell imaging, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The position is opened for 3 years starting in December 2019. Applicants must email a CV, a statement of interest and contact details for 2-3 references to laurent.kodjabachian@univ-amu.fr. Applications will be reviewed as received, so motivated applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Relevant publications:

• Boutin and Kodjabachian. 2019. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development
• Revinski et al. 2018. Nature Communications
• Chevalier et al. 2015. Nature Communications
• Cibois et al. 2015. Development
• Marcet et al. 2011. Nature Cell Biology