PhD Student in Extrachromosomal DNA Dynamics and Cellular Rejuvenation

This PhD position at the CNRS in Strasbourg focuses on understanding how genomic instability is confined within cells and transmitted across generations. The project investigates the dynamics of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, particularly how its asymmetric distribution during cell division impacts cellular rejuvenation. The candidate will conduct long-term microfluidic experiments, fluorescence microscopy, yeast genetics, and quantitative data analysis to study ecDNA formation, retention, and transmission. The work integrates experimental biology with computational modeling, statistical analysis, and image processing, bridging cell biology, genetics, and biophysics. The project is funded by the ANR REJUVENATE programme and hosted in a multidisciplinary lab at the École supérieure de biotechnologie de Strasbourg.

• Conduct long-term microfluidic experiments and live-cell fluorescence microscopy to study ecDNA dynamics in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*.
• Implement yeast genetic approaches and inducible ecDNA formation systems to manipulate and quantify ecDNA behavior.
• Measure ecDNA formation, amplification, retention, and asymmetric transmission between mother and daughter cells.
• Assess the impact of ecDNA transmission on daughter cell rejuvenation and replicative lifespan.
• Characterize chromosomal segregation using imaging and targeted genomic analyses.
• Develop and apply automated image analysis and lineage-tracking methods for high-throughput data processing.
• Integrate experimental data with statistical analysis, probabilistic inference, and quantitative modeling.
• Collaborate across disciplines (cell biology, genetics, biophysics, and computational science) to interpret results.
• Present findings at scientific conferences and publish in international journals.
• Document and share computational tools and analytical methods in line with open science principles.