Organisation/Company: University of Lille
Department: IEMN CNRS
Research Field: Physics » Biophysics Engineering » Microengineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country: France
Application Deadline: 30 Nov 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2024
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description One of the main causes of death for cancer patients is organ failure induced by metastasis development. The primary tumor spreads through the body by generating circulating tumor cells (CTCs), that is, cancer cells that detach from the tumor, and extracellular vesicles (exosomes, EV), which circulate within the bloodstream. Our research group at IEMN Lille is partner in an effort to develop an innovative, original family of lab-on-chip (LOC) devices, aimed at detecting CTCs and EVs with high efficiency. The core of the LOC device are DNA aptamers carrying redox species , which detect the presence of a cancer cell immobilized on the chip by quantum-tunneling current fluctuations.
Experimental studies are complemented by two key theoretical and computer modeling pillars:
Extensive all-atom molecular simulations , which must characterize the DNA aptamers; their bonding with the electrodes and redox molecules; their dynamical fluctuation trajectory in solution, under realistic conditions; the ligand-receptor interaction between DNA and the protein.
Quantum-mechanical electron transport simulations , which use as input the detailed information extracted from the molecular-scale dynamics of the redox species, to calculate the tunneling current as a function of the DNA-protein interaction, to be compared with the experiments.
The two coupled theoretical/modeling endeavors constitute the subject of the PhD work, which will be realized in close collaboration with the experimental groups, notably the group in LIMMS/IIS Tokyo (Japan), where short visits may be planned during the course of the PhD. The PhD project has also an underlying, more fundamental motivation in furthering the molecular-scale understanding of the DNA-protein interactions, and quantitatively improving the modeling of electron quantum transport.
Where to apply E-mail: ******
Requirements Research Field: Physics » Biophysics
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Biological sciences » Other
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Mathematics » Computational mathematics
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
The successful PhD candidate must have a good background in at least three of the following areas : applied mathematics, computational modeling, fundamental physics, biophysics, statistical mechanics, molecular modeling, basic cell biology, bioinformatics.
Working knowledge of Linux/Unix, C/C++/Fortran, Python is a title of preference.
Include your CV, titles and grades of the courses followed in the past 2 years (Master), and names/letters of two references. If you had internships, indicate title/place/date and include a brief 1-page summary of the subject.
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