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The newly established Plant Disease Dynamics group at ETH Zurich is looking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to study how transposons shape the biology of plant pathogenic fungi. We are looking for someone with prior experience in either fungal cell biology or biochemistry/structural biology , who is excited to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mobility of Starship transposons and the genes they carry within plant‑infecting fungal species. Depending on your background and interests, the position can be shaped toward a cell‑biology track (functional and cellular characterisation of transposon mobilisation in living fungal cells) or a biochemistry/structural‑biology track (in vitro reconstitution and structural characterisation of the proteins that drive Starship activity).

This position forms one of three pillars of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project. A fungal genomics expert has already been recruited to lead the comparative genomics pillar, mining natural fungal populations for the diversity and evolutionary history of Starship transposons. This current position will partner closely with that colleague, contributing either the cell‑biology or the biochemistry/structural‑biology perspective needed to move from population‑level patterns to mechanistic, experimentally validated models of how Starship transposons move and integrate their cargo.

Project background
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) enables the spread of pathogenicity genes between microbes and can therefore drive the emergence of novel diseases. In pathogenic fungi, an emerging global threat to both humans and our crops, the mechanisms that facilitate HGT remain unknown. Recent work has uncovered a novel group of giant transposons called Starships, which have moved virulence, metal tolerance and other fitness‑associated genes horizontally between fungal species.

This project is focused on the plant pathogenic fungi Bipolaris sorokiniana, Parastagonospora nodorum and Pyrenophora tritici‑repentis, which all carry the fungal virulence gene ToxA, nested inside a smaller passenger transposon called ToxTA. This transposon has been captured independently by two different Starship transposons, Sanctuary and Horizon, with evidence of other captures in other fungal species. While the genomics pillar reconstructs the evolutionary history of ToxTA across natural fungal populations,



this position will get at the underlying mechanism directly: either by studying, in living fungal cells, how Starships and their passenger transposons move and are regulated, or by biochemically and structurally characterising the proteins that carry out capture, excision and integration. Together, the two approaches aim to identify which genetic and molecular features are essential for horizontal transfer.

Job Description

Investigate the molecular mechanisms driving Starship transposon mobility and cargo capture, using an approach suited to your specialty:

Cell biology track: develop and apply cellular and functional assays (e.g. confocal, single‑cell sorting, membrane biology) to track Starship activity and passenger‑gene mobilisation within living fungal cells

Biochemistry/structural biology track: express, purify and biochemically characterise Starship‑encoded proteins (e.g. the Captain tyrosine recombinase and associated factors), and determine their structures to reveal how they recognise and mobilise cargo DNA

Establish and optimise experimental model systems for studying Starship transposon activity in the lab

Work closely with the lab's genomics postdoc to connect population‑level patterns with mechanistic findings

Proactively manage the relevant experimental data and resources for your track

Supervise and mentor PhD and Masters students

Assist in the delivery of lectures or seminars for the Plant Disease Dynamics group

Write and publish peer‑reviewed manuscripts

Apply for funding to develop research independence

Profile

A PhD in fungal cell biology, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology or a related field

Evidence of research excellence and ambition through peer‑reviewed publications

Prior experience relevant to your track: wet‑lab fungal molecular genetics and cell biology techniques, or protein expression/purification and structural biology methods (X‑ray crystallography, cryo‑EM or NMR)

Evidence of commitment to reproducibility, e.g. through careful record‑keeping,



code repositories or open protocols

A strong desire to contribute to teaching of both undergraduate and Masters research students

A desire to establish an independent research area with support/mentorship from Prof. McDonald

Workplace
We offer

A dynamic and exciting research environment in a newly established ETH group

Access to state‑of‑the‑art central facilities at ETH Zurich

Core budgetary support for consumables and IT infrastructure

Integration into the wider plant pathology research network spanning Prof. McDonald's career across four continents (USA, Switzerland, Australia, UK)

An inclusive and supportive team that values diversity

Flexible working hours and partial home office if desired

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Curious? So are we.

About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting‑edge fundamental research and direct transfer of current knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Further information about Plant Disease Dynamics can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Megan McDonald at [email protected] (no applications).

Application review will being on October 31st and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

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