Postdoctoral position in cellular metabolism

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The group of Prof. Alexis Jourdain at the University of Lausanne invites applications for a postdoc position. We are a dynamic team of international researchers composed of 3 postdocs, 3 PhD students 1 master student, and 1 lab manager. The expertise present at the Department of Immunobiology and the University of Lausanne, as well as our ongoing collaborations with laboratories at the University of Geneva, CHUV and EPFL, offers an ideal place for a postdoc to thrive. The spoken language in the team and the department is English.

Project: Nucleotide metabolism

Nucleotide synthesis is essential for proliferating cells, and nucleotide analogs are widely used in the clinic to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. However, resistance frequently emerges, highlighting the need to better understand nucleotide metabolism. This project, which builds on our recent publications on nucleotide synthesis (Strefeler et al., Nature Metabolism, 2025) and nucleotide catabolism for energy production (Skinner et al., Nature Metabolism, 2023), aims to elucidate the mechanisms of nucleotide metabolism at a genome scale.

The candidate will use large-scale genome perturbation technologies such as CRISPR–Cas9 screening in cell culture and in tumor models in vivo to identify genes involved in nucleotide metabolism. The candidate will then characterize the functions of these genes in detail using metabolomics and biochemical approaches, and will evaluate their relevance to resistance to nucleotide-analog therapies.

Further information can be found at: www.jourdainlab.org

Job information

Expected start date in position : spring 2026 (flexible)

Contract length : 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years

Activity rate : 100%

Workplace : Biopôle, Epalinges (Lausanne area)

Your responsibilities

In your activities, you will have to:

• Lead independent research project(s)


• Supervise Master students 


• Contribute to collaborative team projects

Your qualifications

In order to complete our team, we are looking for someone with the following skills : 

• At least one original 1st author manuscript published or close to publication (incl. in BioRxiv)


• Extensive experience and ability to carry cell culture experiments at a large scale is a must


• Self-motivation, enthusiasm for science, determination are also a must


• Interest in metabolism and large datasets analysis


• High communication skills for teamwork


• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, e.g. systems genetics, biochemistry, metabolism, cancer


• Strong spoken and written competency in English (French is not necessary)

Are a strong plus:

• Eligibility for postdoctoral fellowships (e.g. EMBO or similar)

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Contact for further information

Prof. Alexis Jourdain (E-Mail schreiben)

Tél : 021 692 57 41

(email is the preferred method of contact)

Your application

Deadline : 15.01.2026

Please, send your full application in Word or PDF.
Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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