Postdoctoral Researcher - Fungal Cell Biology or Structural Biology

About the role

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 focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind the mobility of Starship transposons and the genes they carry. Depending on your background, the role follows either a cell-biology track (functional and cellular characterisation of transposon mobilisation in living fungal cells) or a biochemistry/structural-biology track (in vitro reconstitution and structural characterisation of the proteins that drive Starship activity). It is one of three pillars of an interdisciplinary project; a genomics postdoc has already been recruited.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate the molecular mechanisms of Starship transposon mobility and cargo capture, using assays suited to your track (cell biology: confocal microscopy, single-cell sorting, membrane biology; structural biology: protein expression, purification and structural determination)
• Establish and optimise experimental model systems for studying Starship activity in the lab
• Work closely with the genomics postdoc to connect population-level patterns with mechanistic findings
• Manage the experimental data and resources for your track
• Supervise and mentor PhD and Masters students
• Assist in delivering lectures or seminars for the group
• Write and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts and apply for funding

Required profile

• PhD in fungal cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology or a related field
• Peer-reviewed publications showing research excellence and ambition
• Prior experience in wet-lab fungal molecular genetics and cell biology, or in protein expression/purification and structural methods (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM or NMR)
• Commitment to reproducibility, e.g. through record-keeping, code repositories or open protocols
• Interest in teaching undergraduates and Masters students and in establishing an independent research area

What we offer

• A dynamic 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 a plant pathology research network spanning four continents
• Inclusive, supportive team and flexible working hours with partial home office if desired

Applications are submitted online through the university's application portal with a motivational letter, CV, a 500-word statement on research interests and contact details for two references. Review runs until a suitable candidate is found.