[3dem] Fully funded PhD position in time-resolved structural biology – Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France

[Félix WEIS]

Dear all, 


We have an opening for a fully funded PhD position at the I nstitut de Biologie Structurale ( [ https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ibs.fr/__;!!Mih3wA!CQa6UIF1j0cLArfKTsvQanF80UUMSVUxJghaNxbPlxfF5mHJtooNgNPQV24WRy7XwHtunaJ4wkDIdWS_Jd7syA$  | https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ibs.fr__;!!Mih3wA!CQa6UIF1j0cLArfKTsvQanF80UUMSVUxJghaNxbPlxfF5mHJtooNgNPQV24WRy7XwHtunaJ4wkDIdWRD7stPCQ$  ] ) in Grenoble, France, to study the structural dynamics of vitamin B12 -dependent photoreceptors by time-resolved X-ray crystallography and time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy in view of biotechnological applications . 

This integrated structural biology project aims at understanding the activation mechanism of the recently discovered family of vitamin B12 -dependent photoreceptors. In particular, we aim at visualising protein conformational changes upon photoactivation from the photochemical (picoseconds) to the photobiological timescales (milliseconds -seconds). To do so, we use time-resolved crystallography at X-ray free electron lasers (Rios-Santacruz et al , 2026) and at synchrotrons and time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy. By establishing the modus operandi of these newly discovered B 12 photoreceptors this PhD project will open windows to their rational modification for biotechnological exploitation as optogenetic components. 

We welcome applications from students trained in protein biophysics, and preferably in crystallography or electron microscopy. 

For further information and application by April 10 th 2026, please contact either Martin Weik ( [ mailto:weik at ibs.fr | weik at ibs.fr ] ), Felix Weis (felix.weis at ibs.fr) or Giorgio Schirò ( [ mailto:giorgio.schiro at ibs.fr | giorgio.schiro at ibs.fr ] ). 

Recent publication by the group and relevant to the PhD project: 

Rios-Santacruz, R., H. Poddar, K. Pounot, D. J. Heyes, N. Coquelle, M. J. Mackintosh, L. O. Johannissen, S. Schianchi, L. N. Jeffreys, E. De Zitter, R. Munro, M. Appleby, D. Axford, E. V. Beale, M. J. Cliff, M. C. Davila-Miliani, S. Engilberge, G. Gotthard, K. Hadjidemetriou, S. J. O. Hardman, S. Horrell, J. S. Hub, K. Ishihara, S. Jaho, G. Karras, M. Kataoka, R. Kawakami, T. Mason, H. Okumura, S. Owada, R. L. Owen, A. Royant, A. Saaret, M. Sakuma, M. Shanmugam, H. Sugimoto, K. Tono, N. Zala, J. H. Beale, T. Tosha, J. P. Colletier, M. Levantino, S. Hay, P. M. Kozlowski, D. Leys, N. S. Scrutton, M. Weik, and G. Schiro. 2026. 'Integrated structural dynamics uncover a new B12 photoreceptor activation mode', Nature , 650: 1045-52. 

-- 
Felix Weis 
Institut de Biologie Structurale 
71 avenue des Martyrs 
CS 10090 
38044 Grenoble Cedex 9 - France 

felix.weis at ibs.fr 



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.ncmir.ucsd.edu/pipermail/3dem/attachments/20260319/6438d488/attachment.html>