PostDoc position : Gene regulation/ DNA low complexity regions-DNA binding proteins, Montpellier, France 

The post-doc project aims to investigate the role of Low Complexity Regions in regulation of gene expression in P. falciparum (Menichelli et al., 2021) and the identification of proteins regulating this process. The position is funded by an ANR grant and the salary based on the CNRS remuneration grade table. The contract will be for 2 years starting spring/summer 2023.

Team

The Lopez-Rubio lab (http://lopezrubiolab.eu/): The goal of the team research is to understand molecular mechanisms of gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, using cutting edge technologies.

The group is based within the LPHI unit, in the University of Montpellier, France.

The team investigates Plasmodium falciparum  nuclear biology and is part of the LabEx ParaFrap. https://lphi.umontpellier.fr/en/lphi-teams/plasmodium-genome-plasticity

Prerequisites

• A PhD
• Expertise in one of the following areas will be very appreciated:
  • molecular biology
  • molecular parasitology
  • gene regulation, chromatin biology and biochemistry; 
• Ability to work self-motivated and as a team player in an international environment;
• Good verbal and written English skills;

Application

Send your application (motivation letter, CV, name of two referees and transcripts in one PDF) by email to Jose-Juan Lopez-Jubio.

PostDocDNAmontpellier.pdf

PostDoc position : Cross-talk between stress response and infection in dendritic cells at Institut Pasteur Lille, France 

We seek to hire a highly motivated candidate to work on the role of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in modulating type 1 conventional dendritic cell (cDC1) functions in the context of Toxoplasma gondii infection. We recently unravelled that induction of the IRE1 pathway of the UPR is essential to activate key cDC1 functions and establish an efficient T-cell mediated control of parasite dissemination during acute toxoplasmosis (Poncet A et al. EMBO R, 2021, PMID: 33586853). We now aim to identify the involved molecular mechanisms, focusing on the cross-talk between changes in lipid metabolism induced by the infection and UPR-mediated regulation of cDC1 maturation and MHC-I antigen presentation. To this aim transgenic mice, in vitro cDC1 models and transgenic T. gondii strains will be used. The study will combine immuno-phenotyping techniques, metabolic assays, cellular biology and transcriptomic approaches.

The CIIL is a dynamic research center located in the Pasteur Institute of Lille that comprises internationally recognized groups focusing on immunity to infections and microbiology (https://ciil.fr/). The project is also embedded in a research consortium consisting of experts in UPR and Immunity (S. Janssens, IRC-VIB, Ghent) and in DC biology and T cell responses in the context of infections by intracellular parasites (N. Blanchard, Infinity, Toulouse). The candidate will be an active part of this consortium and will interact and collaborate with the other partners.

Highly motivated scientists with a strong interest in host-pathogen interactions are encouraged to apply. The candidate should have a PhD in Life Sciences with a strong knowledge in immunology. Experience with animal experimentation and flow cytometry is mandatory. Experience in imaging techniques would also be appreciated. Good writing and oral communication skills will be needed. The candidate should have demonstrated initiative, problem-solving attitude, and ability to work well both independently and as a team member.

CV, list of publications, short description of previous research projects and experience, and contact information for two referees should be sent by email to: sabrina.marion (at) pasteur-lille.fr.

post-doc_offer_Institut_Pasteur_Lille.pdf

PostDoc position in Biological Sciences / Biochemistry: Mode of action of antimalarial benzylmenadiones at IBMC, Strasbourg, France 

A renewable 1-year postdoctoral position is open at IBMC (Inserm/CNRS/University of Strasbourg) to investigate the mode of action of novel and promising antimalarial benzylmenadiones with potent curing and transmission blocking activities. This project is based on a combination of complementary strategies, notably genetics, activity-based protein profiling and proteomics in both yeast and Plasmodium parasites, to identify putative benzylmenadione targets. Candidate targets will be validated by genetic engineering in Plasmodium, and their role in parasite biology and in mediating benzylmenadione activity will be investigated.

Project leader:

The project will be supervised by Dr. Stephanie Blandin. It is part of a French/Swiss collaborative consortium working on novel antimalarial drugs and encompassing multiple disciplines: medicinal chemistry of redox-active antiparasitic compounds (Dr. Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet at ECPM, Strasbourg), mass spectrometry analysis & proteomics (Drs. Christine Schaeffer & Jean-Marc Strub at IPHC, Strasbourg), parasitology and drug screening (Profs. Pascal Maeser & Jennifer Keiser at Swiss TPH in Basel, Switzerland), yeast genetics (Dr. Brigitte Meunier at I2BC, Gif-sur-Yvette, France) and biology of mosquitoes and malarial parasites (Dr Stephanie Blandin at IBMC, Strasbourg).

Project:

The researcher will join the research unit Insect Models of Innate Immunity (M3i), located at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMC) in Strasbourg, and more particularly the Inserm team 'Immune responses in mosquito vectors'. This group, led by Dr. Stephanie Blandin, is dedicated to the study of the resistance/susceptibility of mosquitoes to pathogens transmitted to humans (parasites and viruses), and to the development of novel strategies to limit disease transmission, including (but not limited to) novel drugs.

The postdoctoral researcher will start by evaluating a series of candidate target genes to decipher the mode of action of antimalarial benzylmenadiones in Plasmodium parasites. In parallel, he/she will look for additional candidates using an affinity-based protein profiling approach coupled with proteomics for which we have already reported a first proofof- concept (Cichocki B. et al., JACSAu 2021, 1(5):669-689. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00025). The candidate should be ready to come up with new models, and to develop relevant assays to test them. Main activities: - Parasitology: Plasmodium falciparum culture (both asexual and gametocytes), parasite enrichment, transfection, assays to measure parasite sensitivity and resistance to drugs, establishment of new assays. - Molecular Biology: construction of plasmids for CRISPR/Cas9 and Selection-Linked Integration (SLI) to generate knockout, overexpression and allele replacement of putative target genes, validation of cassette insertion... - Affinity-Based Protein Profiling to identify new benzylmenadione targets in parasites - Reporting of results in electronic lab-book & lab meetings, attendance to conferences, writing manuscripts. - Supervision of students (recommended) 

Activities and experience:

PhD degree required

We are looking for a highly motivated, and creative candidate with a strong background in parasitology (fundamental criteria). Additional expertise in drug discovery, molecular biology and/or proteomics 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 will be encouraged to make use of the expertise and facilities of partners whenever necessary. Knowledge of the French language is not required. Thorough knowledge of English, both oral and written, is mandatory. 

Application:

Application deadline : 27/01/2023

Application e-mail : bstevenin (at) unistra.fr

CALL_FOR_POST-DOC_ROSaction2022.pdf

PostDoc position studying host-pathogen interactions at Institut Pasteur, Paris, France

A postdoc position is available at the Institut Pasteur in the signalling and host-parasite interactions group, headed by Najma Rachidi, to investigate the mechanisms by which the parasite modulates host cell signalling, through the study of Leishmania casein kinase 1.

Team:

The project will be developed under the supervision of Dr Najma Rachidi (https://research.pasteur.fr/en/member/najma-rachidi/), PI of the signalling and host-parasite interactions group at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Institut Pasteur is an international and multi-disciplinary research centre with access to state-of-the-art technologies RNAseq, imaging, electron microscopy...

Project:

During infection, Leishmania parasites release effector molecules via extracellular vesicles to modify their host cell and insure their survival. We are studying one of these effectors, Leishmania Casein Kinase 1, a signalling protein kinase essential for intracellular parasite survival. Our in vitro data suggest that this kinase might fulfil a significant part of its function in the macrophage, by regulating processes such as trafficking, translation or apoptosis; processes also modulated during Leishmania infection. Our data suggests that Leishmania Casein Kinase 1 is an important player in host-parasite interactions as well as an important target for anti-leishmanial drug therapy. The project, part of an ANR, will combine genome editing, siRNA, cutting-edge microscopy and the development of an innovative method to follow the dynamic of infection and its signalling signature with the aim to identify the L-CK1.2 host substrates essential for Leishmania infection. For more details about our work, visit https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/signalling-and-host-parasite-interactions/.

Candidate eligibility requirements:

We are looking for a motivated post-doctoral researcher with a strong background in cell culture as well as knockout or knockdown genes (CRISPR Cas9, siRNA and ShRNA) in mammalian cells (cell lines and primary cells). A background in parasitology is not required but would be a bonus. The candidate should be able to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, have a solid record of scientific achievement and a decent level in English. The contract is for two years but the applicant will be strongly encouraged to apply for external and/or internal fellowships.

Application:

Please send your Please send a cover letter, a CV with a publication list and three references to Najma Rachidi.
Applications should be sent before November 15th, with a starting date for the postdoc, beginning 2023.

Postdoc_Pasteur_Rachidi.pdf