M.Sc/Ph.D (3-5 years) at Université de Sherbrooke (Canada) on the Molecular Mechanisms of Genome Stability

Our lab is looking for a highly motivated graduate student to helm an innovative research project on the molecular mechanisms of genome maintenance in human cancer cells.

Genome instability is a hallmark of tumors that underlies their genomic plasticity. In the clinic, genome instability is exploited to destroy tumors via chemo- and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, mutations and chromosomal rearrangements fueled by genome instability often promote checkpoint evasion and therapy resistance. Our lab studies the DNA damage response, a collection of signaling pathways that can detect DNA lesions and reprogram cells to safeguard genetic information.

The proposed project would use cutting edge molecular and cellular biology methods (mammalian cell culture, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, FACS and high end proteomics) to dissect the roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases connected to the Fanconi anemia repair pathway in DNA replication and repair (see for instance : Dubois et al. NAR 2017 and Yates et al. PLoS Biology 2024). Another possible thesis project is available and aims to identify telomere-associated vulnerabilities of cancer cells (Dubois et al. PNAS, under revision).

The Maréchal laboratory of the Biology Department of the University of Sherbrooke is looking for a M.Sc/Ph.D student to carry out research in the field of maintaining the stability of the genome in human cancer cells.

The Université de Sherbrooke is a French-speaking (english-speaking students are of course welcome !) university located in Sherbrooke in the province of Québec in Canada, in the Estrie region.  The Université de Sherbrooke welcomes more than 40,000 students from 97 countries and has been growing rapidly for the past 10 years. In 2023, U de S ranked among the top 10 research universities in Canada (https://researchinfosource.com/cil/2023/top-50-research-universities/list). The Biology Department is housed in the newly constructed Life Sciences Pavilion with excellent research infrastructure. This department has several excellent researchers whose work covers three main areas of research: Ecology, Microbiology and Molecular and Cellular Biology (http://www.usherbrooke.ca/biologie/). The chosen candidate will therefore join a dynamic department which is one of the most productive at the University of Sherbrooke and which aims for excellence both in the training of its students and in the quality of the research carried out there.

The candidate should have recently completed a Master degree in cellular or molecular biology and/or biochemistry or related disciplines and ideally have a number of publications in high quality international peer-reviewed journals. 

Experience in genome maintenance, DNA replication/repair, telomere biology, ubiquitination and proteomics is not required but will be considered favorably.

The candidate should be highly committed, able to work autonomously, have excellent problem-solving skills and be able to work within a diverse team of students and research staff. Candidates must also be proficient in oral and written English. Fluency in French is not necessary but would be helpful.