Institute of Microbiology, Bioenergies and Biotechnology of Aix-Marseille Université

Deadline for applications: April, 15th 2024

The Institute of Microbiology, Bioenergies and Biotechnology (IM2B) is financing 2 Ph.D. positions starting in October 2024.

This Institute brings together the largest French network of world-class molecular microbiologists. It aims to explore the diversity and functioning of the microbial world, at the molecular, cellular and ecosystem levels, or through its close association with other organisms (plants, microbiota, etc.), with a view to developing innovative biotechnological solutions in the fields of bioenergies, environment and health.

The four PhD projects described below are eligible for funding under this call for applications. They are interdisciplinary projects based on inter-laboratory collaborations.

For each of the projects, the co-supervisors will select one applicant who will be interviewed by a jury. The audition will be held in English or in French, the 4th of June. At the end of the audition, two applicants will be selected and will be granted with a 3-year fellowship (gross monthly salary: € 2 100).

The two awarded doctoral students will be granted €4,000 to attend international conferences or to follow training related to their research or professional project. In addition, through the Plinius Cursus doctoral programme, they will benefit from personalised support to train in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and prepare their professional project in an international and multidisciplinary environment.

PhD projects (for more details, click on the title)


Deciphering the photosynthetic pathway of Halorhodospira halophila

Co-supervisors:

  • Barbara SCHOEPP-COTHENET, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines – BIP 
  • Jean ALRIC, Institut de Biosciences et biotechnologies d’Aix-Marseille – BIAM

Investigation into the structural dynamics-activity relationship of a novel E.coli chaperone of the Secretory pathway

Co-supervisors:

  • Valérie BELLE / Alessio BONUCCI, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines – BIP
  • Déborah BYRNE, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée – IMM

Nanodisc: a key advantage in studying bioenergetics membrane proteins

Co-supervisors:

  • James STURGIS, Macromolecular Systems Engineering Laboratory – LISM
  • Eric PILET, Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering Laboratory – BIP

Engineering Picochlorum alga to understand giant virus infections and photosynthetic adaptability

Co-supervisors :

  • Xenie JOHNSON, Institut de Biosciences et biotechnologies d’Aix-Marseille – BIAM
  • Guillaume BLANC, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology – MIO

How to apply?

You are interested in applying for one of the PhD projects?

Applications in English, including copies of the following documents, must be sent by email to the supervisors by April 15th 2024

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) (specifying the English level)
  • A motivation letter explaining your interest for the PhD fellowship 
  • Transcripts and ranking of Master degree (Master 1 and first semester of Master 2),
  • Contact information for at least two references 

Candidates must hold a Master2 degree by summer 2024. 

Contact : agnes.kammoun@univ-amu.fr

Published on 29/02/2024

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