Post doc position in Signal Transduction in Host-Microbial Interactions and Inflammation - Sweden

Post doc position in Signal Transduction in Host-Microbial Interactions and Inflammation
Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS)
Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) at Umeå University
Background: Innate immune detections of and responsiveness to microbes is mediated by sets of receptors known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs are broadly categorized into three classes: Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs). Activation of PRRs results in the production of a large set of proinflammatory cytokines and type I interferons (IFNs) which act concertedly to coordinate host defenses against foreign invasion. Although principally meant to protect the host, excessive or deregulated induction of such innate immune responses, can either lead to self injury (e.g during sepsis or autoimmune diseases). Therefore in orders to maintain an optimal balance between anti-microbial host defenses and guarding against causing self injury, PRR signaling pathways must be regulated tightly. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms that govern the regulation of PRRs signaling pathways and how the breakdown of such regulation may lead to inflammation or impair anti-microbial host defenses. Relevant publications: Dietrich N, et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 May 1;107(19):8748-53; Dietrich et al. PLoS One. 2010 Apr 20;5(4).

Methods: These studies will involve using various in vivo mouse models of inflammation and infection as well in vitro studies using a variety of techniques including flow cytometry, microscopy, lentiviral transduction, mass spectrometry, standard cell culture, protein biochemistry, and cell/molecular biology techniques.

Location: Our new lab in Sweden belongs to the MIMS (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) within the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine). MIMS constitutes the Swedish node within the Nordic partnership for Molecular Medicine that is formed together with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Finland and Norway nodes. MIMS is established within the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) at Umeå University. The groups of the MIMS work in modern laboratories with well-equipped common facilities and platforms in a creative, inspiring and highly interactive environment.

Qualifications: We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who are interested in innate immunity and who have received or are about to receive a Ph.D preferably in immunology, microbiology, virology, cell/molecular biology. The position is available for the initial 2 years with a possibility of extension. The successful candidate will be expected to design and execute his or her project independently but also work in close collaboration with the other members of the team.

Applicants should submit their CV along with the names and contact details of three referees, preferably via email to Dr. Nelson O. Gekara (nelson.gekara@mims.umu.se). For more information visit our webpage www.mims.umu.se