Postdoc position in Biophysics : Deciphering virus-host interactions

A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the nanoBIOphysics lab, headed by Prof. David Alsteens at UCLouvain (Belgium). Research in the lab is focused on understanding the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and mammalian host receptors using cutting-edge techniques (Bio-layer interferometry, atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, bio-imager, …). Our goal is to push further the limits of these techniques to decipher virus entry mechanisms at the single-virus level (more info on the lab website: https://perso.uclouvain.be/david.alsteens/ ).

To achieve our goals, we use biophysical approches including atomic force microscopy, high-resolution confocal microscopy, microfluidic microscopy. A doctoral degree (Ph.D. and/or M.D.) in biophysics or physics or biology is required.

The successful candidate is expected to have excellent technical and communication skills, and perform self-directed research.

Interested applicants need to submit a cover letter detailing research experience, motivation to join the lab and what you will bring to the project, a CV with a list of publications, and contact information of three references to David Alsteens ([email protected] ).

Recent publications:

-"Molecular insights into receptor binding energetics and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants".M. Koehler, A. Ray, R.A. Moreira, B. Juniku, A.B. Poma & D. Alsteens . Nature Communications (2021) 12, 6977

"Molecular interaction and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 binding to the ACE2 receptor". J. Yang, S. J.L. Petitjean, M. Koehler, Q. Zhang, A C. Dumitru, W. Chen, S. Derclaye, S.P. Vincent, P. Soumillion, D. Alsteens. Nat. Commun. (2020) 11, 4541 

-"Reovirus σ1 conformational flexibility modulates the efficiency of host cell attachment". J.R. Diller, S.R. Halloran, M. Koehler, R. Dos Santos Natividade, D. Alsteens, T. Stehle, T.S. Dermody, K.M. Ogden . J. Virol. (2020) 23

- "Initial step of virus entry: Virion binding to cell-surface glycans". M. Koehler, M. Delguste, C. Sieben, L. Gillet , D. Alsteens. Ann. Rev. Virol. (2020) 7, In press

- "Control of ligand-binding specificity using photocleavable linkers in AFM force spectroscopy". M. Koehler, C. Lo Giudice, P. Vogl. A. Ebner, P. Hinterdorfer, H.J. Gruber, D. Alsteens. Nano Lett. (2020) 20, 4038-4042

- "Glycan-mediated enhancement of reovirus receptor binding" M. Koehler, P. Aravamudhan, C. Guzman-Cardozo, A.C. Dumitru, J. Yang, S. Gargiulo, P. Soumillion, T.S. Dermody, D. Alsteens. Nat. Commun. (2019) 10, 4460

- "Multivalent binding of herpesvirus to living cells is tightly regulated during infection". M. Delguste, C. Zeippen, B. Machiels, J. Mast, L. Gillet, D.Alsteens. Science Advances (2018) 4, eaat127

- "Nanomechanical mapping of first binding steps of a virus to animal cells". D. Alsteens, R. Newton, R. Schubert, D. Martinez-Martin, M. Delguste, B. Roska, D.J. Müller. Nat. Nanotechnol. (2017) 12, 177-183.

Contract:

A 1-year contract renewable (funding secured for 4 years).  Successful candidate will receive a gross salary around 3000 euros per month (+/-2500 net salary).