[3dem] Post-doc position available in IST Austria – cryo-EM structure determination of novel bioenergetic complexes

[Leonid Sazanov]

We are looking for a post-doc for a collaborative project between the 
groups of Prof. Leonid Sazanov (IST Austria) and Prof. Michael 
Wagner/Prof. Holger Daims (University of Vienna) to work on the 
structures and functions of bioenergetic membrane protein complexes from 
Nitrospira comammox bacteria. This is a rare chance to uncover “black 
matter” of several novel large membrane protein complex families with 
unique properties and unknown structure and mechanism. The recently 
discovered and environmentally widespread comammox Nitrospira are able 
to catalyse complete nitrification using a unique respiratory chain. In 
2017 the Wagner/Daims groups obtained the only available pure culture of 
a comammox organism (Nitrospira inopinata) and recently managed to scale 
up biomass production of these recalcitrant microorganisms to a level 
that now enables structural characterization of essential protein 
complexes of these fascinating microbes.

The Sazanov group is interested in structure and function of large 
membrane protein complexes from the domain of bioenergetics. We have 
determined the first structures of respiratory complex I, V/A-type 
ATPase, transhydrogenase, and MRP antiporters. Prof. Wagner and Prof. 
Daims are members of the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental 
Systems Science and their research groups are interested in the biology 
of nitrifying microorganisms. They have made substantial contributions 
to better understand the diversity, genomic potential, physiology, and 
biochemistry of these microbes that play essential roles in the 
biogeochemical nitrogen cycle of our planet.

Based on already available biomass, the project will involve 
purification of complexes (partially established in the lab), followed 
by cryo-EM structure determination and detailed functional 
characterisation. The candidate must have a PhD in 
biochemistry/structural biology with demonstrated (by publications) 
experience in cryo-EM structure determination. Experience in membrane 
protein purification or in bioenergetics would be advantageous but is 
not essential.

IST Austria is a new multi-disciplinary institute focused on basic 
research. It has recently been ranked 3rd in the world in research 
excellence according to Nature Index. Its EM facility includes Krios/K3 
and Glacios/FIII TEMs. Infrastructure for protein purification and 
cryo-EM data processing is state-of-the-art. IST is connected by shuttle 
bus to Vienna, a top city for quality of life.

The Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science was 
founded in 2019 at the University of Vienna and is a research hotspot 
for microbiology. In total 15 research groups and about 130 scientists 
from more than 25 countries are active at the Centre. The Centre has 
unique facilities for the cultivation and functional characterization of 
microbes including a NanoSIMS and a Raman microfluidics cell sorter.

The appointment will initially be for 2 years (on a Wittgenstein award 
grant to Prof. Wagner), with a possibility to extend to 4 years. 
Starting date is as soon as possible for a suitable candidate. The post 
holder will be employed in IST Austria, where post-doc salary and 
benefits are extremely competitive. All queries and applications with 
CVs and names of 2-3 academic referees should be forwarded to Prof. 
Leonid Sazanov. Email: sazanov at ist.ac.at. Homepage: 
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ist.ac.at/research/life-sciences/sazanov-group/__;!!Mih3wA!WPnMjxYvh1OWuNvepvAIXBmrgW9DIoh2szwszDuOqtz0vk9wlfYiZONoyZ_uihE13Q$ 
Additional queries may be directed to Prof. Wagner at 
michael.wagner at univie.ac.at, Homepage: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://cmess.csb.univie.ac.at/__;!!Mih3wA!WPnMjxYvh1OWuNvepvAIXBmrgW9DIoh2szwszDuOqtz0vk9wlfYiZONoyZ94SyW5FA$ 

Recent papers from the Sazanov group on cryo-EM structures and function 
of bioenergetic membrane proteins:

Kampjut, D. and Sazanov, L.A. (2020) The coupling mechanism of mammalian 
respiratory complex I. Science, 370(6516):eabc4209.
Pinke G., Zhou L. and Sazanov L.A. (2020) Cryo-EM structure of the 
entire mammalian F-type ATP synthase. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol., 
27(11):1077-1085.
Steiner J. and Sazanov L. (2020) Structure and mechanism of the Mrp 
complex, an ancient cation/proton antiporter. Elife 9, e59407.
Kampjut, D. and Sazanov, L.A. (2019) Structure and mechanism of 
mitochondrial proton-translocating transhydrogenase. Nature, 573, 291–295.
Zhou, L. and Sazanov, L.A. (2019) Structure and Conformational 
Plasticity of the Intact Thermus thermophilus V/A-type ATPase. Science, 
365, eaaw9144.
Fiedorczuk, K., …, and Sazanov L.A. (2016) Atomic structure of the 
entire mammalian mitochondrial complex I. Nature, 538, 406-410.
Letts, J.A., Fiedorczuk, K., and Sazanov L.A. (2016) The architecture of 
respiratory supercomplexes. Nature, 537, 644-648.

Selected papers from the Wagner/Daims groups on comammox microbes and 
other nitrifiers:

Kits KD, …, Wagner M, Daims H. (2019). Low yield and abiotic origin of 
N2O formed by the complete nitrifier Nitrospira inopinata. Nat 
Communications, 1: 1836
Kits KD, …, Daims H, Wagner M. (2017). Kinetic analysis of a complete 
nitrifier reveals an oligotrophic lifestyle. Nature, 549: 269-272
Daims H, …, Wagner M. (2015) Complete nitrification by Nitrospira 
bacteria. Nature, 528: 504-509
Palatinszky M, …, Daims H, Wagner M. (2015) Cyanate as an energy source 
for nitrifiers. Nature, 524: 105-108
Koch H, …, Wagner M, Daims H. (2014) Growth of nitrite-oxidizing 
bacteria by aerobic hydrogen oxidation. Science, 345: 1052-1054

-- 
Prof. Leonid Sazanov FRS
IST Austria
Am Campus 1
A-3400 Klosterneuburg
Austria

Phone: +43 2243 9000 3026
E-mail: sazanov at ist.ac.at