Postdoctoral position in Cellular Phase Separation

About the team/job

The concept of phase separation has revolutionized our understanding of the organization of cells. Although phase separation is now thought to drive the formation and organization of membrane-less organelles, the molecular mechanisms that control the assembly and disassembly, shape and size of such organelles remain poorly understood. A recently established imaging-enabled cell sorting technology (Schraivogel et al., Science 2022) offers a radically new approach to screen genome-wide for regulators of phase separation.

The research group of Sara Cuylen-Haering in the Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit at EMBL Heidelberg is offering a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow the opportunity to apply high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 screening, imaging-enabled cell sorting, OMICS approaches and live-cell microscopy to study phase separation processes in human cells. 

Your role

The successful candidate will lead a cutting-edge experimental research project to identify novel regulators of phase separation in human cells.

You will first implement screening pipelines that combine CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome engineering and novel imaging flow cytometry technologies. This includes the generation of fluorescent marker cell lines, development of imaging-based assays, optimization of imaging flow cytometry-based cell phenotyping and sorting, and next-generation sequencing analysis.

You will then valdidate hits from the screen using functional assays (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics), as well as advanced live cell microscopy.

The project will benefit from close collaborations with leading experts in flow cytometry, “omics”- technologies, and imaging.

You are expected to participate in and contribute to cross-disciplinary teams that work on imaging flow cytometry technology improvement and assay development. 

You have

• A PhD degree in the life sciences (e. g. cell or molecular biology)
• Experience in high-throughput technologies (e.g. siRNA or CRISPR screens, transcriptomics, Hi-C techniques)
• Experience in molecular biology techniques
• Experience in mammalian cell culture
• Experience in microscopy techniques
• The ability to work independently and creatively
• Excellent organizational and communications skills 

You might also have

• Experience in the field of cellular phase separation, membrane-less organelles or intrinsically disordered proteins
• Experience in the analysis of next-generation sequencing datasets
• Programming skills 

Why join us

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits, and the availability of an excellent child care facility on campus. 

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with approximately 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome. Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here