Postdoctoral Researcher in The Microtubule Function

**The Institute**

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.
In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

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**The role**

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated **Postdoctoral Researcher** with background **in Cell and Molecular Biology** and experience in cancer research to join the Microtubule function and cell division group (PI: Isabelle Vernos) to the study of the role of Cancer Research.

We recently identified an enzyme that specifically modifies the spindle microtubules to ensure chromosome segregation fidelity. This enzyme is systematically downregulated in human cancer suggesting a mechanism that cancer cells exploit to promote aneuploidy and chromosome instability, two hallmarks of particularly aggressive tumours.

**About the lab**

Our lab is focused directed at understanding the role of the microtubule (MT) network in cell organization and function. More specifically we want to understand the mechanism underlying spindle assembly and how its dynamics is regulated to ensure chromosome segregation fidelity.

This process is at the core of faithful chromosome segregation and the proliferation of healthy cells as failures of chromosome segregation can generate aneuploidies, a major cause of miscarriages and birth defects in humans as well as a common hallmark of particularly aggressive tumours.

Using a variety of experimental approaches in cells, Xenopus egg extracts and in vitro we have identified and characterized the role of a number of microtubule dependent motors as well as novel pathways that drive MT nucleation and organization in dividing cells.

Our recent work aiming at understanding the role of a post-translational modification of the microtubules during mitosis revealed a novel mechanism that may play a relevant role in cancer, opening also new possibilities for therapeutic intervention.

**Whom would we like to hire?**

**Professional experience**

You will also possess the following key skills and attributes:
**Must Have**
- You have a background in cancer Cell Biology.
- You have a solid background in microscopy and image analysis.
- You have a good knowledge of basic molecular biology.
- You have proven experience in the field of cell division and microtubules.
- You have an Animal Experimentation title that is recognized by the Catalan Government.
- You have experience in working with mica.

**Desirable but not required/ Nice to have**
- Experience in protein expression and purification.
- At least one (first-author) research paper published during your PhD.

**Education and training**
- You hold a PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or Cancer Biology or similar field.

**Languages**
- You must be fluent in oral and written English.

**Technical skills**

High level of hands-on experience in:

- Microscopy, including live-cell imaging.
- Basic molecular biology techniques.
- Tissue culture cell handling.
- Silencing of genes through siRNA or shRNA transfection methods.
- Handling of mouse models for cancer studies.
- Optimisation of complex protocols.

**Competences**
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Ability to work both in a team and independently.
- Highly developed organizational skills.
- Strong drive and commitment to produce high quality experimental data.
- Creative mind to design experiments and explore data from unexplored angles.

**The Offer - Working Conditions**
- **Contract duration**: 12 months with possibility of extension (renewable up to 5 years).
- **Estimated annual gross salary**: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
- **Target start date**: as soon as possible.

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

We offer and **promote a diverse and inclusive environment** and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

**The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life** of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and t