Your tasks: Primases are essential genes and play a fundamental role in genome replication. Currently there is only limited knowledge on the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying primase activity. In this SNF-funded project the structure and reaction mechanism of a primase during initiation (dinucleotide formation) and elongation shall be elucidated. We are studying the primase from a plasmid and are extending our investigation towards cellular primases ( doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.031 ). The functional characterisation involves the use of advanced biochemical and biophysical methods. In addition, point mutants of the primases will be constructed and characterized to unravel the contribution of these residues to individual steps in the reaction cycle. The SNF-funded project is a collaboration with a group of the ETH Zurich working on the structural aspects of the primases. The position is initially limited until 30 September 2021.

Your profile: You hold a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology or related disciplines and ideally have hands-on experience with some of the following techniques we apply: cloning, protein purification, enzyme assays, HPLC, ITC and fluorescence spectroscopy. Your oral and written English skills are excellent. The ability to work independently and in a target-oriented manner rounds off your profile.