A 2-years post-doctoral position is available at the Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires (CNRS) in Bordeaux to study the mechanism of oxygen detoxification in anaerobic bacteria. Project summary : Oxygen is the most powerful compound used by aerobic forms of life through complex respiratory chains that all include at least one membrane-bound terminal oxygen reductase. Surprisingly, genes encoding these terminal oxidases are present not only in aerobic but also in a large number of strictly anaerobic microorganisms. While the function of terminal oxidases is easily understandable in aerobes, occurrence of such enzymes in strict anaerobes is more intriguing. Data suggest that a lot of anaerobic microorganisms, although unable to use oxygen as terminal electron acceptor for growth, have developed defence strategies to protect themselves against oxygen damages and exhibit thus aerotolerance. In Desulfovibrio species, several systems that differ from their cellular location have been proposed to account for oxygen reduction. One of them involves two membrane-bound enzymes namely a quinol-bd oxidase and a cytochrome c oxidase with unique cofactor content. This project aims for a better understanding of the physiological role of these membrane-bound terminal oxidases in anaerobic organisms using Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) as model. For this purpose, the single and double deletion mutants of these two membrane-bound enzymes available in our laboratory represent an important tool to decipher their respective functional role in the cell. The functional genomics approach which is developed will allow us to get the molecular and functional characterization of these membrane-bound oxygen reductases in Desulfovibrio as well as their influence in the energy and carbon metabolisms of the bacterium. Reference : Lamrabet, O., Pieulle, L., Aubert, C., Mouhamar, F., Stocker, P., Dolla, A. and Brasseur, G. Microbiology (2011) 157, 2720-2732. This is a collaborative project, supported by an ANR grant, with the team « Functional genomics of anaerobiosis » (Alain Dolla) at the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, CNRS-Marseille. The team in Bordeaux is in charge of the functional characterization of the membrane bound oxygen reductases especially in terms of cells energization and in ROS production/protection. We are seeking a candidate for joining us on this project with: - a PhD and 0-3 years of relevant post-doctoral experience, - a strong academic formation and a validated experience in bioenergetics (flux-force measurements, transmembrane potential, delta pH, oxygen consumption, etc..) and in membrane proteins biochemistry. Skills in microbiology would be valuable. Candidates are expected to be highly motivated and capable of independent initiative. The successful candidate will have to interact strongly with the team in Marseille. The successful candidate will be appointed through the CNRS for 1 year, which can be renewed for a second year. Post-doctoral position starting date: September 1st, 2012 (may be modulated according to the selected candidate). Dead line for application: April 16th 2012 Annual gross salary : 39000 euros. Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae, a brief summary of research experience and career goals, as well as contact details for at least 2 references to: Dr. Daniel Brèthes ([email protected]) or Dr Anne Devin ([email protected]). Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires – UMR 5095, CNRS – Université Bordeaux Segalen 1, rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux cedex - France Phone : + 33 (0)5 56 99 90 47