ComeInCell Doctoral Network PhD Studentship: Active spatial positioning of condensates on membranes by self-organizing proteins

This PhD position is offered through the ComeInCell European MSCA Doctoral Network. More details about PhD projects offered through the ComeInCell Program can be found here: https://www.comeincell.org/projects

Hosted by:
Petra Schwille
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried
Cellular and Molecular Biophysics

Project Summary

The Schwille group aims to (re)construct cellular processes, and ultimately minimal living cells, from dramatically simplified functional subsystems, such as proteins and protein assemblies. Besides being able to investigate biomolecular processes with unprecedented precision in cell-free environments, this approach will also provide insights about the emergence of complexity as a main driver of biological evolution. We have in the past accomplished a thorough biochemical mastering of a class of self-organizing, pattern-forming bacterial proteins that can be harnessed to precisely position proteins and other surface-bound molecules on biological membranes. As membrane-less condensates have recently shown to act as local membrane-active agents, we will explore how and whether different kinds of biological condensates can be actively targeted to membrane surfaces and within protocell vesicles. The project aims at tailoring the protein positioning machinery to position both, surface-attached condensate nuclei, and whole condensate droplets on membranes of variable composition, size, and shape.

The project will include mandatory secondments at UC London, UK (Di Michele Group), and at MPI Potsdam (Reinhard Lipowsky), as well as further optional ones.

Selected References

• Litschel, T., Kelley, C. F., Cheng, X., Babl, L., Mizuno, N., Case, L. B., Schwille, P.,Membrane-induced 2D phase separation of the focal adhesion protein talin, Membrane-induced 2D phase separation of the focal adhesion protein talin, Nat Commun 15, 4986 (2024)
• Reverte-López, M., Gavrilovic, S., Merino-Salomón, A., Eto, H., Yagüe Relimpio, A., Rivas, G., Schwille, P., Protein-Based Patterning to Spatially Functionalize Biomimetic Membranes Small Methods 7, 2300173 (2023)
• Ramm, B.*, Goychuk, A.*, Khmelinskaia, A., Blumhardt, P., Eto, H., Ganzinger, K., Frey, E., Schwille, P. A diffusiophoretic mechanism for ATP-driven transport without motor proteins Nat Phys 17, 850-858 (2021)

General Application Information
Funding information:
Funding agency: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2023 (Project Nr: 101168939)

Doctoral Candidate (DC) Allowances:
MSCA Doctoral Networks provide attractive salary terms and benefits, including a living allowance of around €3,400 (country correction coefficient applies), a mobility allowance of €600 and, a family allowance (€660 if applicable). Note that these are gross values and employer costs or other deductions depend on the recruiting host.

Mobility Conditions:
MSCA networks require that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

The individual scientific projects are planned within one of the partner Host Institution and every doctoral candidate will spend a part of their doctoral studies in another partner laboratory (a maximum of 12 months of their 36 months PhDs).

Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC:
For the 36 months of employment contract the doctoral candidate (DC) will be required to work exclusively on the MSCA programme. In all cases, all duties and responsibilities will be clearly outlined in the DC personal Career Development Plan, as determined in the early stages of the project between the DC and their supervisory committee.

Starting Date:
All projects will commence preferably within the first half of 2025, depending on the host institution. Contact the corresponding PIs for more details.

Candidate Specification

Qualifications
Essential: Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum MSc degree, or equivalent, in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Bioengineering or related area.

Desirable: Practical experience with model membranes and/or biomolecular condensates

Knowledge and Experience
Essential: Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines and a demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, protein biochemistry, single molecule analysis.

Desirable: Fluorescence microscopy and/or spectroscopy, programming

Skills and Competencies
Essential: Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.