Postdoctoral position on yeast filamentous growth

Introduction

The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties with approximately 17’000 students and nearly 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne's city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

Presentation

The Pelet Lab (wp.unil.ch/quantitativesignaling/) in the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne offers a postdoctoral position in the cellular biology of filamentous growth.

Job information

Expected start date: flexible, earliest 01 March 2026
Contract length: 1 year, renewable if funding is available
Activity rate: 100%
Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny Campus

Your responsibilities

The Pelet Lab has an open position in the cellular biology of filamentous growth. 
Filamentous growth encompasses various morphological transitions in yeast cells, which allow them to form biofilms, invade into the agar or generate hyphal or pseudo-hyphal cells. These transitions play an important role in the virulence of fungal pathogens.   
Our objective is to develop quantitative biology techniques based on fluorescent microscopy to monitor these morphogenetic transitions and study the role of MAPK pathways in these cell fate differentiation mechanisms. We will use S. cerevisiae as a model system to investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling the switch to filamentous growth. In parallel, we plan to use fungal pathogens to establish the conservation of the mechanism driving these morphogenetic changes across yeast species.

Your qualifications

-    Ph.D. diploma (or planned defense at time of application)
-    Good publication record (at least one first-author publication in an international peer-reviewed journal)
-    Strong practical experience in the cellular biology of yeast
-    Enthusiasm for understanding molecular mechanisms
-    Proficiency in English
-    Strong personal drive for scientific research, a curious nature, and the capability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team
-    Previous work with fungal pathogens is a plus

What the post offers you

You will join a motivated interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding the response of cells to their environment using quantitative biology techniques. Located in the Biophore building overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, our lab is embedded within the vibrant and international research environment of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology at the University of Lausanne. Our state-of-the-art biology and computational lab space is supported by UNIL's excellent research infrastructure (e.g., computing cluster and sequencing, metabolomics, and microscopy). UNIL is deeply integrated within the broader Lausanne community and region, which offers ample opportunities for professional training and a rich cultural life.

Contact for further information

Prof. Serge Pelet E-Mail schreiben. 

Your application

Application deadline: Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Please include your full application in PDF format, including a motivation letter, a CV with grades, a short description of previous research, and the contact information of two references. 
Only applications through this website will be considered.

Complementary information

Seeking to promote an equitable representation of men and women among its staff, the University of Lausanne encourages applications from women.