Jobs and PhDs

10/16/2024

Postdoc, Trypanosome Transmission Group - Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute

A 24-month post-doctoral position starting on March 1st 2025 and funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) is available in the Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris (Trypanosome Transmission Group: https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/groupbrice-rotureau/).

Project: TrypaDiff - Glycerol, a new key player in the trypanosome parasite cycle Trypanosoma brucei is an extracellular parasite responsible for sleeping sickness in Africa and transmitted by a blood-feeding insect vector, the tsetse fly. In its mammalian host, the rapidly dividing slender forms predominate in the blood and tissues. At the peak of parasitaemia, slender forms differentiate into growth-arrested stumpy forms (ST) to protect the host by preventing high parasitaemia. Slender to stumpy differentiation relies on a quorum sensing mechanism triggered by the accumulation of di- and tripeptides produced by oligopeptidases excreted by the parasites. The current model of T. brucei transmission from mammals to the insect vector emphasises the key role of the quorum sensing-derived stumpy forms (ST-QS) produced in the blood. However, this may not be the only differentiation pathway. Our recent unpublished data showed that glycerol, which is abundant in the skin and adipose tissues where the parasites also reside, induces differentiation of slender to stumpy-like forms (ST-Glyc), which are competent for differentiation into parasitic forms present in the insect. We thus propose a rational working hypothesis, in which the glycerol present in the skin would induce the production of ST-Glyc mostly responsible for the parasite transmission to the fly. To study this new paradigm, our ANR-funded consortium composed of Dr. Brice Rotureau (IPP), Dr. Lucy Glover (IPP) and Dr. Frédéric Bringaud (Bordeaux, coordinator of the TrypaDiff project) will (i) characterize glycerol-induced stumpy-like forms, (ii) determine the biological relevance of these parasites, and (iii) characterize the signaling pathway(s) involved in their glycerol-induced differentiation. This program will contribute to a better understanding of the developmental biology of trypanosomes responsible for human and domestic animal diseases and will highlight possible new ways to control parasite transmission.

Experimental approaches: CRISPR-cas9 genetic engineering, microfluidic organoid model, experimental infections in mice and flies, in vivo imaging.

Requirements: Candidates with a recent PhD in Biological Science, especially in Parasitology or Cell Biology are encouraged to postulate. Experience in experimental infection in mice is required. Highly motivated and autonomous candidates are wanted. Skills in entomology or in vivo imaging or microfluidic models would be greatly appreciated.

Application: Applicants should send a CV, a bibliography, a motivation letter and the names of three references in a single pdf file to Dr. Brice Rotureau (rotureau@pasteur.fr) before November 30th 2024.

11/20/2024

Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Partnership (DiMeN DTP) PhD Opportunity - University of York

Applications are invited to a PhD project investigating RNA:protein (mRNP) condensates formed during pathogen differentiation and host adaptation. Apply to the program by 13/12/2024

Working environment
Our team provides a collaborative environment in which the PhD student can thrive with individual support, expand their intellectual range and learn new techniques with the Technology Facility at their disposal. The PhD student will join a team of researchers in the York Biomedical Research Institute investigating cellular processes in parasites that cause African trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. York is internationally renowned  for Parasitology research, and is ranked in the Top 10 for both Research and Teaching. The first to attain (and retain) an Athena Swan Gold award in the UK, our Department provides a positive environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, flourish and excel.
Supervisor: Dr. Mathieu Cayla
Second supervisor: Dr. Pegine Walrad

Project 
Kinetoplastid parasites transition between insect and mammalian hosts, requiring quick adaptation through post-transcriptional gene regulation without extensive transcriptional control1. We recently demonstrated that quorum sensing of T. brucei in the mammalian bloodstream generates a specific and programmed hierarchy of biomolecular condensate assembly. These condensates have distinct components, including kinase regulators that contribute to downstream signalling of key pathways essential for life cycle progression2. 

The Aim of this project is to understand molecular regulation of parasite condensates by:
• Revealing the protein signature and architecture of biomolecular condensates.
• Investigating protein modifications regulating formation and stability of condensates.
• Identifying mRNAs critical to condensate formation.

Key responsibilities
The student will use super-resolution microscopy and cryoEM to visualise and quantify the extent and diversity of biomolecular condensate during the trypanosomes life cycle. Furthermore, the student will purify the different types of condensates using our established complementary approaches of UV crosslinking, protein tagging and proximity labelling. The student will identify modifications of proteins associated with these condensates via Mass Spectroscopy. They will use a kinome-wide RNAi library and perform single point mutations using CRISPr to investigate condensate regulatory mechanisms  during the parasite lifecycle. They will identify the mRNA and modifications associated with granules using next generation and nanopore direct sequencing. Finally, the student will use genetic and chemical tools to destabilise the condensate and examine the impact on parasite development.

Impact
The PhD student will be trained in the quantitative, computational and statistical analyses of -omics data. They will acquire critical transferable skills and professional resilience necessary for the success of this project and their future career. 
This research will reveal the unknown diversity, architecture and regulation of biomolecular condensates in an exceptional tractable model of medical importance. Understanding mRNP regulation will provide critical knowledge of how parasitic diseases persist. This will inform us on how such condensates enable parasites survival, transmission and disease progression. 

Benefits of being in the DiMeN DTP
This project is part of the Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Partnership (DiMeN DTP), a diverse community of PhD students across the North of England researching the major health problems facing the world today. Our partner institutions (Universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, York and Sheffield) are internationally recognised as centres of research excellence and can offer you access to state-of-the-art facilities to deliver high impact research. We are very proud of our student-centred ethos and committed to supporting you throughout your PhD. As part of the DTP, we offer bespoke training in key skills sought after in early career researchers, as well as opportunities to broaden your career horizons in a range of non-academic sectors. Being funded by the MRC means you can access additional funding for research placements, training opportunities or internships in science policy, science communication and beyond. Further information on the programme and how to apply can be found on our website:

Funding Notes 
Studentships are fully funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) for 4yrs. Funding will cover tuition fees, stipend (£19,237 for 2024/25) and project costs. We also aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a limited number of full studentships to international applicants.

Studentship start date: 15 Sep 2025

11/06/2024

PhD student position in molecular parasitology with a focus on bioinformatics at the University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Position Overview: 

Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic invites enthusiastic highly motivated students with interest in modern omics (genomics-transcriptomics-proteomics) to apply for a PhD position starting in 2025. The preferable start dates are February or September; further details can be negotiated individually.

The project will be primarily focused on comparative omics and in silico analysis of RNA editing in model and non-model Trypanosomatidae. The successful candidate will also have a chance to get involved in other on-going projects in the laboratory, such as those addressing evolutionary biology of parasitism, virulence, or mechanisms of translation in these fascinating flagellates.



Recent publications: 

1. doi:10.1093/nar/gkae168 (Nucl Acids res, 2024)

2. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.009 (Trends Parasitol, 2024)

3. doi:10.1093/ve/veae037 (Virus Evol, 2024)

4. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05584-2 (Nature, 2023)

5. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.060 (Curr Biol, 2023)

6. doi:10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.023 (Comput Struct Biotechnol J, 2022)

7. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010510 (PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2022)

8. doi:10.1261/rna.079088.121 (RNA, 2022)

9. doi:10.1093/nar/gkab114 (Nucl Acids Res, 2021)

10. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.006 (Trends Parasitol, 2020)


Application Deadline: 15.12.2024

Position Start Date: February 2025 (flexible)

Qualifications:
M.Sc. degree (or equivalent), fluent English, ability to work in a team, enthusiasm. Advanced skills in genome and transcriptome analyses would be a plus.

How to Apply: 
Please send your CV, motivation letter, and names/contact information of two potential referees to Prof. Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Ph.D. by December 15th, 2024. E-mail: vyacheslav.yurchenko@osu.cz

11/20/2024

Postdoctoral opportunity - University of York

We’re looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the Department of Biology at the University of York. You will work in Dr. Mathieu Cayla’s group investigating the adaptation mechanisms enabling African trypanosomes to progress through their life cycle and to adapt to their hosts. 
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr. Mathieu Cayla at mathieu.cayla@york.ac.uk

Apply by 03/01/2025 

Provisional interview date is 20/01/2025


Your main task will be to drive a project to characterise the signalling pathways that regulate autophagy, lysosome exocytosis and biomolecular condensates during the lifecycle differentiations and host adaptation of the African trypanosome T. brucei. As part of our team, you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced techniques, including high-throughput live imaging, gene silencing screens, mass spectrometry, and murine infection models. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop an exceptional set of skills and contribute to groundbreaking research. You will also contribute towards other projects, help supervise student projects, and contribute to the smooth running of the lab as required.

About You
• You will have a PhD or be expecting to receive a PhD in the near future in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology or Microbiology. 
• You will have in-depth knowledge of cell/molecular biology and parasitology. 
• Experience in modern techniques, such as -omics and/or super-resolution microscopy will be especially welcome. 
• You will have evidence of having done high quality research relevant to the position (e.g. published articles and/or preprints), and developed your communication skills through international presentations. 
• You should be highly motivated and autonomous.
• You should be willing to contribute towards other projects ongoing in the lab. 
• You will have a collaborative spirit, keen attention to detail, and able to contribute to a lively, friendly and supportive team atmosphere. 

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Why Join Us
By joining our team, you’ll be part of an internationally recognized York Biomedical Research Institute that pushes the boundaries of science. You’ll work in state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with leading scientists, all while developing skills that are transferable across multiple scientific fields. Our Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere that encourages personal and professional growth.

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