PhD Position in Single Particle Imaging of P. falciparum Knobs

Project Leader

Prof. Dr. Michael Lanzer (Heidelberg University Hospital, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, INF 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany) www.ukhd.de/parasitologie

Project:

The objective is to provide a high-resolution map of the structure of P. falciparum knobs, respectively knob components, using biochemical approaches followed by single particle imaging (more details in attached PDF file)

Activities and experience:

Qualified candidates should have a Masters degree from an internationally accredited institution of higher education. Technical skills in biochemistry are desirable. Interest in interdisciplinary collaborations is mandatory. Applications from all fields of natural sciences are welcome as are candidates with a migration background. We also encourage scientists from Eastern European countries, including Ukraine and Russia to apply.

Application:

Online application : https://my-hbigs.uni-heidelberg.de/...

Deadline: June 30, 2022 | Start of PhD project: as early as September 2022

PhD-Student_Lanzer_0122.pdf

PostDoc position in Biological Chemistry/Biochemistry/Proteomics at University of Strasbourg, France 

A renewable 6 month post-doctoral position is open at the ECPM (University of Strasbourg) to use activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)-based probes to evaluate the metabolism of the antiplasmodial drug plasmodione & derivatives, and to fish drug targets in living cells (E. coli, S, cerevisiae, P. falciparum). To circumvent the enhanced transmission of drug resistant malaria parasites to mosquitoes the team of the coordinator has developed an optimized plasmodione analogue with potent anti-gametocyte V and transmission-blocking properties. The postdoc project will use photoreactive plasmodione-derived alkynes as partners of the click reaction to fish and reveal target-protein adducts in mature P. falciparum rings and gametocytes upon irradiation and analyze them by mass spectrometry in chemical proteomics studies.

Project leader:

The project will be supervised by Dr. Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet, and integrated within a French/Swiss consortium working on novel antimalarial drugs and encompassing multiple disciplines: biological chemistry of redox-active antiparasitic compounds (Dr. Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet at LIMA-Strasbourg, & Marjorie Schmitt at LIMA-Mulhouse, UMR7042), mass spectrometry analysis & proteomics (Dr. Christine Schaeffer & Jean-Marc Strub) at IPHC, LSMBO, Strasbourg, Dr. Sarah Cianferani)), the biology of mosquitoes and malarial parasites (Dr Stephanie Blandin, MIR/M3I, IBMC, Strasbourg), and parasitology and drug screening (Prof. Pascal Maeser, University of Basel, Switzerland).

Project:

For the ROSkillers project, new selective activity-based probes were designed for the identification of plasmodione protein targets. A first proof-of-concept has been reported in vitro (Cichocki B. et al., JACSAu 2021, 1(5):669-689. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00025). The postdoctoral researcher will undertake the analysis of the global interactome of this promising agent in vivo, first in E. coli and/or S. cerevisae overexpressing flavoenzymes as models, and then in parasite asexual stages and in gametocytes using proteomics methodologies. Candidate targets will be then validated with genetic engineering in Plasmodium. .  

Activities and experience:

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a strong background in mass spectrometry analysis of proteins (fundamental criteria). Additional expertise in click chemistry and/or photoirradiation would be appreciated. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of scientific excellence, very good communication and writing skills as well as a strong commitment to experimental work. The candidate should be also able to perform independent research and be eager to engage in collaborations with co-workers within this project. Knowledge of the French language is not required. Thorough knowledge of English, both oral and written is mandatory.. 

Application:

Application deadline : 30/04/2022

Application e-mail : christine.schaeffer (at) unistra.fr, sblandin (at) unistra.fr , elisabeth.davioud (at) unistra.fr

JobOffer_post-doc_EUCOR2022_final.pdf

Position: 
External Recruitment Competition (permanent position) - Assistant Engineer in biology, life and earth sciences

Details:
Study of the cytoskeleton in Trypanosoma brucei and Toxoplasma gondii parasites using molecular and cell biology and imaging approaches.

Laboratory:
Team " Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton " (Dr Mélanie Bonhivers & Dr Derrick Robinson) of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, UMR 5234, CNRS-Université de Bordeaux

Skills and experience:

• General knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
• General knowledge of specific equipment: fluorescence microscopy, electrophoresis (DNA, proteins)
• Knowledge of hygiene and safety rules related to the handling of products and work in the L2 containment culture room
• Good knowledge of the English language (written, spoken)
• Knowledge of cell culture techniques (bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells), parasite culture is a plus
• Ability to work in a research module and in L2.
• Know how to use molecular biology techniques (cloning) and cell biology (immunostaining, transfection)
• Know how to use fluorescence microscopy techniques
• Know how to adapt technical protocols in consultation with project managers
• Know how to write technical procedures
• Know how to ensure the traceability of the processed data and the reproducibility of the analyses performed
• Know how to present the results in writing and orally in a clear and succinct manner.
• Know how to keep his/her laboratory notebook up to date.
• Rigor, experimental ethics
• Organizational skills, ability to manage several tasks in parallel
• Ability to work independently but in interaction with other members of the group (researchers, technicians, students, trainees) and of the department

Application :
Online : http://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/recrutements/itrf from 31 March 2022 to 28 April 2022

Job profile (in French):

https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/Universite/Recrutement/Concours-et-campagnes-de-recrutement/Concours-et-recrutements-ITRF-Session-2022
Fiche_poste_2022-ASI-Bap_A-SBM_MFP_UMR5234.pdf

PostDoc position in molecular biology at Institut Pasteur, Paris, France 

Lucy Glover's team is looking to recruit a highly motivated post-doctoral scientist to come work at the Institut Pasteur to study the role of specific post translational modifications on antigen gene switching in African trypanosomes https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/trypanosomes-molecular-biology/.

Project leader:

Lucy Glover, Ph.D. Head, Trypanosome Molecular Biology group, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur Paris

Project:

Antigenic variation is a fundamental process used by pathogens to evade the host immune response. In T. brucei AV is the stochastic switching of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). It has been shown that inherent fragility within a VSG expression site (ES, locus of VSG gene expression) leads to the formation of double strand breaks (DSB) which triggers VSG recombination events and switching (Boothroyd, C, Nature, 2009; Glover, L, Plos Pathog, 2013). A repertoire of approximately 2000 VSG genes form a vast subtelomeric archive which enables the trypanosome to continuously switch VSGs and prolong an infection. This archive is accessed in a semi-predictable order during an infection. There are several outstanding questions to understanding AV in trypanosomes. The team is interested in what factors influence VSG recombination and VSG switching. The aim of this study is to dissect the effect of acetylation on the DSB repair (DSBR) and VSG recombination.  

Activities and experience:

The team is looking for a motivated post-doctoral researcher with a strong background in molecular biology. This project will involve molecular biology based techniques, RNA and DNA-seq, bioinformatic analysis of T. brucei. A background in parasitology is not essential for this position, but some experience in bioinformatics will be beneficial. The successful applicant will be expected to work independently, analysis and present their data within the lab and at international conferences. This project is funded by the ParaFrap LabEx. 

Application:

Please send your CV, three references and a motivation letter to lucy.glover (at sign) pasteur.fr  by the 31st of March 2022.

ParaFrap_Post-doctoral_position.pdf