Open Post-Doctoral Positions:

None

Open Graduate Student Positions:

We generally hire 1-2 PhD students per year. Interested applicants should apply directly to one of the EPFL doctoral programs (generally EDBB).

Ph.D. positions at the Interface of Synthetic Biology, Transcriptional Regulation and Engineering

Laboratory of Biological Network Characterization
Institute of Bioengineering
School of Engineering
EPFL

Description:

The Laboratory of Biological Network Characterization aims to advance the field of transcriptional regulation by applying state-of-the-art technologies and synthetic biology approaches to systems level transcription factor biophysics / gene regulatory network engineering.

The four currently available PhD positions will focus on reverse engineering gene regulatory networks and developing a quantitative model of gene expression. In short, the four projects will focus on: i) the comprehensive characterization and modeling of the entire inorganic phosphate regulatory network, ii) developing approaches to precisely perturb native gene regulatory networks with engineered transcription factors and/or CRISPR/dCas9, iii) link expression levels to cellular fitness, and iv) engineer novel gene regulatory networks in yeast. These projects will involve extensive use of our state-of-the-art microfluidic platforms, and molecular / synthetic biology techniques.

These projects will be carried out in the context of an ERC Consolidator Grant awarded to Prof. Maerkl

Requirements:

Candidates should hold an academic degree (Bachelor, Diploma or Masters) in Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fields. Inter-disciplinary experience is of benefit as are computational skills and prior experience in yeast genetics.

Contact:

Exceptional candidates should send their curriculum vitae, a 1-2 page description of previous research experience, and the contact information of three referees to:

Prof. Sebastian Maerkl
Email: Sebastian.maerkl@epfl.ch

Evaluation will begin immediately and proceed until all positions have been filled. Outstanding candidates will be contacted and asked to submit an official application package to the EDBB doctoral program for the April 15th deadline.