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Presentation
Prof. Nadine Vastenhouw and her group at the Center for Integrative Genomics at UNIL (https://www.vastenhouwlab.org) are now seeking a PhD student with a background in any of the life sciences, to work on an ERC-funded project related to nuclear organization and transcription regulation.
The project
HOT regions (High Occupancy Target) in the genome are regions with an unusual High Occupancy of (many) Transcription factors. These regions have been suggested to affect gene expression, but exactly how this works is not clear. We have recently identified HOT regions in the zebrafish genome and these all come together in nuclear space to form a large cluster. This may provide an important clue to the function of HOT regions as these large clusters could provide a source of transcription factors, or conversely, titrate away transcription factors from genes elsewhere in the genome. This has important implications in the context of gene regulation, especially in this early developmental window, when the embryo transitions from a transcriptionally silent to transcriptionally active state. The aim of this project is to investigate (i) how HOT regions seed the formation of TF clusters, (ii) how these clusters come together in nuclear space, and (iii) how HOT regions impact transcription. You will use state of the art sequencing and imaging approaches to address these questions.
Relevant publications
Vastenhouw et al., Development 2019
Pálfy et al., PLoS Genetics 2020
Hilbert et al., Nature Communications 2021
Kuznetsova et al., Current Biology 2023
Ugolini et al., Nature Cell Biology 2024
Job information
Expected start date: as soon as possible
Contract length : 1 year, renewable, max 4 years
Activity rate: 100%
Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny campus
Your responsibilities
Most of your time will be dedicated to research, but you may also be involved in teaching activities (e.g. practical class preparation, literature reading classes, Master project supervision).
Your qualifications
– A Masters degree in any of the life sciences
– Interest in transcription regulation, nuclear organization, quantitative biology
– Experience with genomics and imaging approaches are a plus
– Excellent scientific writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
What the position offers you
You will be supervised by Prof. Nadine Vastenhouw, in a diverse, dynamic, and international research laboratory. You will work on your independent project but there is ample intellectual and technical expertise in the lab to make sure you are well-supported. The working language is English.
The Center for Integrative Genomics encompasses 15 research labs investigating diverse fields related to functional genomics and offers state-of-the-art experimental facilities. Beyond the training in the host laboratory, numerous possibilities exist at UNIL for further professional education and career development.
Contact for further information
Informal requests for further information can be made by email to:
Your application
To apply, you must upload as a single PDF document:
- A CV, including the names of 3 referees
- A motivation letter in English describing your past research experience and your scientific interests, and how they are a good match for the host laboratory.
Deadline: 1.11.24
Only applications through the University of Lausanne job portal will be taken into account.
Additional information
UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
www.unil.ch/egalite
UNIL supports early career researchers.
www.unil.ch/graduatecampus