Mission/Activities :

The unit of technology and services Photonic BioImaging (UtechS PBI directed by S. Shorte and N. Aulner) is an imaging facility dedicated to the study of infectious, systemic and tumoral diseases. The platform activities encompass imaging consulting, user training as well as multidisciplinary and collaborative research and development activities. The facility has a wide range of state-of-the-art microscope systems suited to adapt to most needs of the scientific community within the Institut Pasteur and beyond. They are maintained by a team comprising seven specialist engineers dedicated to user interaction and quality insurance.

The Imaging and Modeling unit directed by C. Zimmer has developed an open-source 3D super resolution technique based on single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) method that allows exploring fixed samples at high tissue depth enabled by key optical elements located in the detection path. This technique improves conventional resolution by an order of magnitude in all directions and has already produced encouraging results. Financial support from Region Ile de France (program DIM ELICIT) has opened the opportunity to provision access through the UtechS-PBI, requiring the reliability of the system be demonstrated through meticulous characterization and performance assessment in an ISO 9001 environment. As part of this technological implementation the UtechS PBI team are seeking to recruit another research engineer expedite the work program under the supervision of the Instrumentation R&D lead engineer (E.Esposito). The successful candidate will assure the following activities:

  • Characterization of the SMLM based super-resolution optical system performance in 3 dimensions (X,Y,Z) depending on specific optical elements introduced.
  • Measurement of instrument drift during experimental condition
  • Ensure measurement repeatability and instrument reliability in ISO 9001 certified environment.
  • Redact an acquisition procedure to be used by PBI users wishing to benefit from such a system

 

Profile :

We are looking for a highly motivated Master level Biomedical engineer with interest in Optical instrumentation and physical measurement seeking a first experience in an exciting multidisciplinary environment. The successful candidate would show interest in open source technology and a hands-on approach to problem solving.

Skills required:

  • Good knowledge of biomedical instrument, in particular microscope systems
  • Rigorous in instrumental measurement taking and result presentation
  • Good oral and written skills
  • Fluent written and spoken English essential; basic French highly desirable
  • Team player
  • Computing development skills (Python/Java) would be a strong plus.

 

 

Contract type : Contrat à Durée Déterminée. Fixed contract

Contract duration : 12 month

Working hours: Full-Time

Week-end duties: No

Emergency duties: No

Travelling duties: No

 

Criteres Candidat

Experience level required : 0  to 2 years

Study Level required : BAC + 5 (Master Level)

Specific required certiffication or habilitation: None

Language Skills :                             English  (B2-Operational)

French (B2 Operational)

Position localisation : Paris, France

 

Availability :

Position available as of 1/03/2022

 

To apply : INSTITUT PASTEUR – Ingénieur de recherche – CDD 12 mois H/F

At the Bordeaux Imaging Center (BIC), we are looking for a motivated cell biologist to implement sample preparation, super-resolution imaging in cryogenic conditions and image treatment and analysis.

Cryo-electron microscopy provides not only access to the structure of isolated molecules at an atomic scale, but also to their structure in a cellular context. The need of a specific and highly precise localization of molecules previous to cryo-EM observation in a frozen hydrated sample has become evident. Super-resolution microscopy techniques based on single molecule localization could overcome the challenge of nanoscale detection in light microscopy. The EquipEx+ project NanoCryoCLEM coordinated by the University of Bordeaux aims to establish a cryo-CLEM workflow for super-resolution microscopy. In this context, the Bordeaux Imaging Center (BIC), the Institute interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences (IINS), and the Institute d’optique (LP2N), will collaborate to develop a new super-resolution optical system in cryogenic conditions. The ultimate goal of this project is the transfer of these frozen hydrated samples, analyzed by super-resolution microscopy, to the electronic microscope from the Institute Européen de Chimie et Biologie (IECB) for Cryo-tomography observation and structural analysis.

The main activities of the candidate will include:

  • To develop new protein labeling strategies with probes compatible for both optical super-resolution microscopy techniques, and protein localization in cryo-electron tomography. This work will be carried out in collaboration with research teams from IINS: «Spatio-Temporal and Mechanical Control of Motile Structures» led by Grégory Giannone, and «Dynamic Organization and Function of Synapses» led by Daniel Choquet.
  • To establish cell cultures on EM grids preserving specific subcellular structures and to plunge freeze the samples.
  • To acquire super-resolution images in cryogenic conditions with a home-made system.
  • To analyze and reconstruct super-resolved images.
  • To develop a correlative workflow in order to select and localize regions of interest in the optical system for cryo-electron tomography acquisition.

The candidate must hold a PhD and should have advanced expertise in cell biology and fluorescence microscopy techniques. In-depth knowledge of protein labeling biochemistry in cell cultures will be an advantage. Previous experience in cryo-fixation techniques and liquid nitrogen manipulation will also be an asset.

The candidate will be working in an interdisciplinary environment, thus strong teamworking skills and fluid English will be asked. The contract is 1 year research engineer renewable up to 3 years, salary depending on CV.

To apply please send a full CV and a cover letter to:

  • Mónica Fernández Monreal (monica.fernandez-monreal AT u-bordeaux.fr).

  • Gregory Giannone (gregory.giannone AT u-bordeaux.fr).

  • Daniel Choquet (daniel.choquet AT u-bordeaux.fr).

The  PICsL is located on the Luminy campus on two sites (IBDM and CIML ) that are within walking distance of each other. The PICSL offers a variety of state-of-the art imaging systems (multiphoton, confocal imaging, light sheet microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, electron microscopy). Mainly dedicated to developmental biology and immunology, the PICSL facility provides approaches for dynamic imaging, such as light sheet microscopy, super-resolution for tissue imaging (STED), multiphoton imaging but also more standard techniques such as time lapse imaging and confocal microscopy. Such methods are key to study quantitatively, the development of various animal species, and to decipher the operating mechanisms of the immune system, from molecules to whole organisms, such as Drosophila, C. elegans, Xenopus, chick, mice but also organotypic cultures and more recently organoids. The IBDM site also hosts an electron microscopy (EM) service. The EM service provides the scientific community with the expertise, material and electron microscopes necessary for molecular, cellular and tissue-level imaging by EM. Our service offer comprises the sample preparation with the following methods: negative staining, plastic embedding, immuno-labelling, high pressure freezing, freeze substitution, (cryo)-ultramicrotomy. We routinely use advanced imaging modes such as electron tomography (ET), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy in « Serial Block-Face » mode, Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM).

Microscopy systems available @PICsL

The BIC (Bordeaux Imaging Center) offers resources in photonic and electronic imaging, mainly in life, health and plant sciences. It is a core facility identified at the national level as IBISA that gathers 12 highly skilled engineers. It has the ISO9001 label. The different components of the BIC are: PHOTONIC imaging, ELECTRONIC imaging, PLANT imaging. The Bordeaux Imaging Center offers access to the most advanced bio-imaging techniques for fixed and live cell imaging such as video-microscopy, confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The BIC provides a unique set of high-end equipment for super- resolution microscopy such as STED confocal microscopy, FRAP video-microscopy, lifetime imaging FLIM for the measurement of molecular interactions. We also provide access to equipment for sample preparation such as ultra-microtoms, high pressure freeze (HPF) and we can host live samples.

Microscopy systems available @BIC