PhD position A statistical approach to the origin of life: emergence of polymerization, autocatalysis and Darwinian evolution

23 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Ecole supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielles de la ville de Paris

Department

Biophysics and Evolution Team

Research Field

Engineering
Biological sciences
Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

31 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38.5

Offer Starting Date

1 Jun 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / ERC

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

ESPCI Paris – PSL : ESPCI Paris - PSL is a major institution of higher education (a French "Grande École d’ingénieurs"), an internationally renowned research center (6 Nobel Prizes), and a fertile ground of innovation for industry (3 start-ups created/year). ESPCI is a highly multidisciplinary environment with teaching and research in physics, chemistry and biology.

Project: A central question in the origin of life is how evolution could have emerged in physical-chemical systems. RNA is an experimental model for the prebiotic world because RNA is both an information carrier and a catalyst. RNAs derived from group I introns have been shown to self-reproduce from smaller fragments, recombine other RNAs, and produce novel ribozymes. Therefore, RNA is a highly promising model to build an artificial reactions networks capable of evolution. However, a system made of RNA and capable of evolution remains to be discovered. 

The project aims to build in vitro RNA reaction networks integrating recombination and template-based ligation as the fundamental driving forces of evolution. The challenge is to implement Darwinian properties of variation, reproduction with heredity and selection, and combine them, with the ambition to discover paths for the gradual emergence of evolution. We will use a combination of directed evolution, rational design of reaction networks, sequencing and microfluidics, in close collaboration with theory.

Selected publications from the group: Matsumura, S., Kun, Á., Ryckelynck, M., Coldren, F., Szilágyi, A., Jossinet, F., Nghe, P., Szathmary E. & Griffiths, A. D. Transient compartmentalization of RNA replicators prevents extinction due to parasites. Science (2016)

Arsène, S., Ameta, S., Lehman, N., Griffiths, A. D., & Nghe, P. Coupled catabolism and anabolism in autocatalytic RNA sets. Nucleic acids research (2018)

Ameta, S., Arsène, S., Foulon, S., Saudemont, B., Clifton, B. E., Griffiths, A. D., & Nghe, P. Darwinian properties and their trade-offs in autocatalytic RNA reaction networks. Nature Communications (2021)

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The candidate is expected to have a strong background in biochemistry and/or systems biology and/or molecular biology.

Specific Requirements

Flexibility, autonomy, the ability to work in a highly multidisciplinary team and good interpersonal skills are essential.

Languages

ENGLISH

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

ESPCI Paris PSL - Biophysics and Evolution

Country

France

City

Paris

Postal Code

75005

Street

6 rue Jean Calvin

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Paris

Website

https://www.lbe.espci.fr

Street

10 rue Vauquelin

Postal Code

75005

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED