Ramesh Pillai

Postdoctoral opportunity at the University of Geneva in an SNSF-funded project on the intact and native top-down mass spectrometry of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). The project is hosted in the Pharmaceutical Sciences environment and brings together the laboratories of Prof. Valérie Gabelica and Prof. Ramesh Pillai, combining RNA biology, epitranscriptomics, analytical chemistry, and advanced mass spectrometry. The research aims to characterize tRNA modification patterns at the intact level and to understand how combinations of modifications affect RNA structure, stability, and function. The successful candidate will develop and apply native mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, and top-down mass spectrometry approaches to study intact tRNA isoforms and their modification states. This is a highly interdisciplinary project at the interface of molecular biology, biophysics, and state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. The position is based at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation until 30 September 2029. Salary and employment conditions follow University of Geneva regulations and depend on the candidate’s experience and qualification level. The post is full-time, temporary, and expected to start on 1 March 2027. Eligibility highlights include a completed PhD before the start date in RNA biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, pharmaceutical sciences, analytical chemistry, or a related field. Experience with RNA extraction and purification is required, and a strong interest in connecting RNA biology with mass spectrometry is essential. Excellent English communication skills are required; additional experience in RNA modifications, epitranscriptomics, in vitro transcription, nucleic acid characterization, structural biology, or bioinformatics will strengthen an application. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] and should strictly follow the instructions in the provided application form. Review begins on 15 November 2026 and continues until the position is filled.