open positions
Postdoc/senior scientist position at the University of Geneva (Switzerland) Physical principles of regeneration in zebrafish
We are looking for outstanding and highly motivated scientists to perform research at the intersection of physics and developmental biology in the lab lead by Prof. De Simone (funded position).
We are interested in how signals orchestrate cell behaviour for regenerating tissues to get to their right form. We tackle the mechanisms of regeneration combining in vivo live imaging, data analysis, and theory. Our model system is the regenerating zebrafish scale, a bone disk accessible to microscopy.
How are signals organized in time and space to coordinate morphogenesis? How are these signals integrated with mechanical forces? How is tissue growth coordinated with bone formation?
Do you see yourself in one of these profiles?
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Your background is in cell/developmental biology and you are fascinated by imaging. You want to develop a highly quantitative project on signalling dynamics in morphogenesis. Coding and/or zebrafish experience are a plus.
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Your background is in physics/engineering and your PhD in experimental biology. You want to strengthen your experimental skills, learn zebrafish as a model system and develop a project on the physics of bone regeneration.
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You are strong in bioinformatics and “omics” is your home. You would like to apply these methods to an exciting and largely unexplored regenerative system, by combining single cell transcriptomics and microscopy.
Contact for applications: alessandro.desimone@unige.ch
For more details: https://genev.unige.ch/research/laboratory/alessandro-desimone
Master position – Mapping mutations affecting skin colour traits in the corn snake
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin colour patterns in the corn snake, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interest in molecular developmental biology to assist in mapping corn snake colour and colour pattern traits. The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists and will be trained in state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches.
Contact Dr. Athanasia C. Tzika (athanasia [dot] tzika [at] unige.ch) for details.
Master position – Modelling variation & complexity of animal forms
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin appendages (project 1) and skin colour patterns (project 2) in vertebrates, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interests and skills in mathematical modelling and numerical simulations of physical processes (reaction-diffusion, mechanics, …). The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists (the latter using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches).
Contact Prof. Michel C. Milinkovitch (michel [dot] milinkovitch [at] unige.ch) for details.
Master position – Mapping mutations affecting skin colour traits in the leopard geckos
In the context of highly multidisciplinary studies investigating the development of skin colour patterns in the leopard geckos, we are seeking creative and highly motivated students with strong interest in molecular developmental biology to assist in mapping leopard gecko colour and colour pattern traits. The successful candidates will interact with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, computer scientists and biologists and will be trained in state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular developmental approaches.
Contact Dr. Athanasia C. Tzika (athanasia [dot] tzika [at] unige.ch) for details.
Physics of biological morphogenesis: Position for a theoretical physicist in Switzerland
We offer several positions for outstanding, highly motivated, and creative theoretical physicists or applied mathematicians, at the postdoc or PhD student level, in the Salbreux group. Projects are at the interface of physics and biology and involve analytical theory, numerical simulations, and data analysis, in close collaboration with experimental groups. The successful candidates will investigate morphogenetic processes and self-organization at the level of cells and tissues in biological systems.
Candidates must have a master degree in physics (for a PhD student position) or a PhD in theoretical physics or a related field (for a postdoctoral position). An expertise in biology is welcome but is not mandatory. The positions are for 3 to 5 years.
The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is world-renowned for its research and is among the top 1% best universities in the world. We offer an attractive research environment and salaries according to swiss standards.
References: Patterning and growth control in vivo by an engineered GFP gradient, Science, 2020; Mechanochemical Crosstalk Produces Cell-Intrinsic Patterning of the Cortex to Orient the Mitotic Spindle, Current Biology, 2020; Tissue curvature and apicobasal mechanical tension imbalance instruct cancer morphogenesis, Nature, 2019; Stability and Roughness of Interfaces in Mechanically Regulated Tissues, Phys Rev Let, 2018, Mechanics of active surfaces, Phys Rev E, 2017; Active dynamics of tissue shear flow, New J. Phys, 2017, The Physical Basis of Coordinated Tissue Spreading in Zebrafish Gastrulation, Dev Cell, 2017.
How to Apply
Candidates must send their application — in the form of a single PDF file including a brief letter of interest, a CV, as well as contact information of two to three persons of reference — to Prof. Guillaume Salbreux.