Opportunities

  • Two PhD student positions in molecular parasitology at the University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic invites enthusiastic highly motivated students with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genomics to apply for two PhD positions starting from January 2024 (the actual start date can be negotiated individually).

Project 1 will be focused on in silico analysis of RNA editing in non-model trypanosomatids within a broader context of multi-omics analyses in this group of parasites.

Project 2 will deal with molecular mechanisms governing endosymbiosis in Trypanosomatidae.

The successful candidate will also have a chance to get involved in other on-going projects in the laboratory, such as those addressing comprehensive genomics of Trypanosomatidae, evolutionary biology of parasitism, or mechanisms of translation in these fascinating flagellates.

Requirement: fluent English, ability to work in a team, enthusiasm. Advanced skills in genome and transcriptome analyses (for project 1) or molecular biology (for project 2) would be a plus.

Recent publications:

  1. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05584-2 (Nature, 2023)
  2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.060 (Curr Biol, 2023)
  3. doi:10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.023 (Comput Struct Biotechnol J, 2022)
  4. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010510 (PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2022)
  5. doi:10.1261/rna.079088.121 (RNA, 2022)
  6. doi:10.1093/nar/gkab114 (Nucl Acids Res, 2021)
  7. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.006 (Trends Parasitol, 2020)

Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology is well equipped and provides excellent conditions for research. The successful candidate will work in an international team of friendly and talented people, in which collaboration is strongly encouraged. The official laboratory language is English. For more information visit the lab web page at https://web.osu.cz/~Yurchenko/

How to apply:

Please send your Resume and names/contact information of two potential referees to Prof. Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Ph.D. by September 30st, 2023. E-mail: vyacheslav.yurchenko@osu.cz

  • Position POST DOC

A postdoctoral position is available in the Günzl laboratory in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. Dr. Günzl is looking for a motivated postdoc to work on a NIH-funded project in Molecular Parasitology aimed at understanding mechanisms of gene expression in Trypanosoma brucei. The project comprises an attractive combination of approaches including biochemical assays, genetics and genome-wide analyses as well as imaging.
UConn Health is a major research University and the largest public Biomedical research University in Connecticut. The research conducted here covers a broad range of areas including genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, microbiology, and biomedical engineering among other areas. The institution harbors first-rate core facilities which include genomics and (https://medicine.uconn.edu/research/core-facilities/) which include proteomics, genomics and bioinformatics cores relevant to this project. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field. Expertise in gene expression assays and protein biochemistry is desired. The position is for 12 months initially, and renewable depending on performance. The successful candidate will receive training in professional and personal development, research collaboration, presentation and publication of results, outreach, and mentoring. There will be opportunities for development of additional research projects and proposal development related
to the broader project goals.
The position includes a competitive salary and full benefits including health insurance.
The start date is flexible, but an early start would be preferable. Applications should include:

(i)brief cover letter, (ii) curriculum vitae, (iii) a brief description of past research accomplishments,
(iv) the names and contact information of three references.

UConn Health is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EEO and M/F/V/PWD/ PV employer.

Further information:
Gunzl lab: http://facultydirectory.uchc.edu/profile?profileId=gunzl-arthur
UConn Health, Department of Genetics & Genome Sciences: https://health.uconn.edu/genetics/

  • Position POST DOC

The Saeij lab (https://saeijlab.faculty.ucdavis.edu/) at the University of California, Davis, is currently looking for several postdoctoral scholars to work on NIH-funded projects investigating Toxoplasma-host interactions. These projects are following up on Toxoplasma CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function screens that we have performed in vivo in mice (Sangaré et al, Cell Host & Microbe, 2019) and in vitro in interferon-gamma stimulated murine (Wang et al, Nature Communications, 2020), rat, and human macrophages. We are looking for team players that are excited about studying host-parasite interactions and have excellent communication skills. Previous experience with molecular biology and biochemistry is a plus.

The Vet School at UC Davis is ranked as the best in the country and we are surrounded by colleagues working on host-microbe interactions (https://health.ucdavis.edu/medmicro/microbialresearch/microbial_affiliated_faculty.html). UC Davis is located in the town of Davis, which is ranked as one of the best towns to live in in the nation. Davis is close to San Francisco, Sacramento, the Napa/Sonoma wine country and the Lake Tahoe ski area. UC Davis offers excellent benefits and multiple opportunities for professional development for postdocs (see https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/postdoctoral). Interested candidates can submit a current C.V. and names of three references to: Jeroen Saeij (jeroensaeij@gmail.com).