ESRF - PhD student at ILL: studying Lipid Droplet-Dengue Virus Interactions by Neutron Scattering

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL: studying Lipid Droplet-Dengue Virus Interactions by Neutron Scattering
Ref.: NS26-ILL01
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 33.3K€
Expected deadline of applications: 03/05/2026
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 02/03/2026
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

Thesis subject: Lipid Droplets as Biophysical Models for Understanding Viral Replication: Molecular Mechanisms of Dengue Capsid Protein Binding Probed by Neutron Scattering (LYON)

You will join the Large-Scale Structures group at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), the world’s leading neutron science facilities, located in Grenoble, France. The ILL provides the scientific community with access to the world's most intense continuous neutron flux, hosting a broad suite of instruments for structural biology, soft matter, and surface science, including small-angle neutron scattering (SANS/USANS) instruments (D11, D22, D33) and the neutron reflectometers (D17, Figaro). These instruments exploit contrast variation, a powerful neutron technique, to resolve molecular-scale structures at complex interfaces invisible to other probes.

The aim of the PhD project is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which dengue virus capsid proteins (DENV-C) bind to lipid droplet (LD) surfaces, a process central to viral replication. Dengue fever infects over 400 million people annually across 100 countries, yet the molecular interactions underpinning DENV-C recruitment to LDs mediated by the LD-surface protein Plin3 still remain poorly understood. The novelty of the project lies in deploying quantitative neutron scattering techniques (SANS/USANS and neutron reflectivity with contrast variation) to directly probe the structure and interactions of DENV-C and its peptide analogues with well-defined artificial lipid droplet (ALD) models and Langmuir monolayers incorporating Plin3. This will disentangle specific protein-Plin3 interactions, yielding mechanistic insights to inform future anti-dengue strategies.

The student will benefit from a rich interdisciplinary collaboration with partners at the University of Bristol (ALD and liposome preparation), the University of Manchester (peptide synthesis), the Jerzy Haber Institute in Krakow, Poland (Plin3 expression), and the University of Galway, Ireland (molecular dynamics simulations).

Further information may be obtained from: ILL supervisors - Prof. D. Zákutná (D11/SANS, tel.: +33 4 76 20 7394, email: zakutnad@ill.fr), Dr. S. Ayscough (D17/NR, tel.: +33 4 76 20 7480, email: ayscough@ill.fr); and from: University of Bristol - Prof. W. H. Briscoe (tel.: +44 117 455 9119, email: wuge.briscoe@bristol.ac.uk).

Expected profile

• A background in biophysics, chemistry, physics or a closely related discipline is essential. Experience with soft matter, lipids, protein interactions, or surface science is highly desirable. Knowledge of scattering techniques (neutron or X-ray), Langmuir monolayer methods, or structural biology would be a strong advantage, as would programming skills for data analysis.

• Strong laboratory skills, rigorous attention to detail, and an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research spanning biophysics, structural science, and virology are essential. The candidate must be comfortable working at the interface of experiment and data analysis, and willing to engage with a broad international collaboration network.

• Degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc, Master 2 de Recherche,) in chemistry or a closely related science like physics, materials sciences, nanotechnology, etc.

• Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate B2 level must be included in the application. Applicants originating from native-English-speaking countries can apply without the need for proof of level. An official degree conducted in English will be also accepted as a proof). If the applicant is unable to provide proof, an English test (free of charge) will be requested.

• Compliance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule: candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host institute’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the call deadline.

• The candidate must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment, and must already hold a master’s degree at the call deadline.

• Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at School of Chemistry, University of Bristol (UK) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than secondments of 1-2 months per year to the University of Bristol (UK) for sample preparation and characterisation, the University of Manchester (UK) for peptide synthesis training, the Jerzy Haber Institute (Krakow, Poland) for Plin3 expression training, and potentially the University of Galway (Ireland) for molecular dynamics simulation comparisons. A varied pedagogical training programme will be offered throughout the 3-year PhD. Furthermore, a varied pedagogical training programme will be offered to the successful candidate throughout the 3-year PhD project.

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Company description

NEXTSTEP will train 36 young and enthusiastic researchers to exploit the unique and transversal capabilities of analytical research infrastructures in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe. Host laboratories: ESRF and ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), AREA (Italy), NTNU (Norway).