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).
Please, check out our Recruitment Policy
The role
The successful candidate will join the Dynamics of Protein Synthesis and RNA Decay Group. They will provide key support for smooth running of the laboratory via management tasks that include project support, cell culture, biochemistry and molecular biology experiments, reagent preparation, equipment and inventory maintenance/purchases, as well as training of PhD and Post-Docs. Additionally, they will be responsible for implementing health and safety regulations, including management of a radioactivity laboratory. Their essential work will aid researchers in addressing an exciting question in gene regulation: how cells dynamically control the stability of messenger RNAs by selective degradation during protein synthesis by the ribosome. The lab studies this problem in the context of both fundamental molecular mechanisms and disease-related regulation.
About the lab
Group leader: Dr. Markus Höpfler
How do cells accurately tune protein production according to cellular needs? This fundamental question is not only fascinating but also crucial to human health: Aberrant protein levels are commonly linked to diseases such as developmental defects, cancer, or neurodegenerative diseases, where aggregation-prone proteins tend to accumulate in neurons.
In the “Dynamics of protein synthesis & RNA decay” lab we are interested in how cells tune protein production by adjusting the stability of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Each cell in our body expresses around 12,000 different mRNAs at any given time. To control this complex transcriptome—and thus protein synthesis—cells adjust half-lives for individual mRNAs from minutes to several days. Traditionally, the selective degradation of mRNAs has been attributed to the recognition of nucleotide sequence elements by proteins or small RNAs that subsequently recruit decay factors. In our lab, we investigate a distinct, newly emerging paradigm of gene regulation termed “peptide-mediated mRNA decay” (PMD). In PMD, not the mRNA sequence but rather the nascent protein is recognized to trigger degradation of the encoding mRNA during its translation by the ribosome.
This process is exemplified by tubulin mRNAs, which are selectively degraded when cells sense excess free tubulins, the building blocks of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Perturbed tubulin mRNA turnover results in severe phenotypes, such as cell division defects, impaired neurodevelopment, ciliopathies, and infertility. Beyond tubulins, emerging evidence points to critical PMD mechanisms targeting transcripts encoding aggregation-prone proteins when crucial chaperones are absent. Thus, PMD represents an unexplored paradigm of gene regulation that dynamically adjusts protein production to ensure cellular fitness. However, a mechanistic understanding of peptide-mediated mRNA decay is only beginning to emerge, and the scope of PMD substrates is completely unknown.
Using a highly interdisciplinary approach spanning biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, genetics, and advanced sequencing methods, we aim to answer the following questions: What are the factors and molecular mechanisms driving peptide-mediated mRNA decay? How are these mechanisms controlled, and what are the consequences of impaired mRNA turnover for cells and organisms? What is the transcriptome-wide scope of regulation by peptide-mediated mRNA decay?
Answering these questions will be highly relevant to human biology and disease, as highlighted by the examples of tubulin and aggregation-prone proteins regulated by PMD. Furthermore, insights into mRNA decay mechanisms will enable development of optimized mRNA-based therapeutics like mRNA vaccines.
Additional information can be found on the lab website:
https://www.crg.eu/en/programmes-groups/hopfler-lab
Whom would we like to hire?
Professional experience
Must Have
Lab experience with mammalian cell culture and common techniques in biochemistry, cell & molecular biology
The candidate should hold a bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree, preferably in cell/molecular biology or biochemistry, OR vocational training and 3+ years' work experience in these fields
Radioactivity facility operator license, OR willingness to obtain such a license within the first year
Desirable but not required/ Nice to have
Experience with project support and common laboratory task management
Experience in RNA biology and/or microtubule biology
Experience with protein purification, next-generation sequencing or genetics approaches
Experience with handling and managing radioactive reagents
Languages
Fluency in English
Spanish language may be needed to acquire certain health and safety licenses (e.g. radioactivity)
Computer skills
Advanced MS Office experience
Skilled with data analyses software, e.g. Prism
Experience with electronic lab notebooks and other lab managing software is an advantage
Competences
Rigor, organization and autonomy
Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
Curiosity and critical thinking
The Offer – Working Conditions
Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract- linked to the activity of the lab (estimated October 2030)
Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
Target start date: June 2024.
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 welcome 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 the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.
