[Offre d’emploi] 2 Post-Doc et 1 Assistant Ingénieur – Allemagne/Suisse

09 Juin [Offre d’emploi] 2 Post-Doc et 1 Assistant Ingénieur – Allemagne/Suisse

Are you fascinated by the microbiome? And do you care about the health of children living in some of the most impoverished regions of this world? This is your chance to participate in an exciting, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded, translational research project on microbiota-targeted interventions targeting environmental enteric disease (EED) and to contribute with your work to one of the biggest global health challenges!

To date, one out of four children worldwide is suffering of stunted growth, a syndrome that is associated with a significant higher risk of illness in childhood, delays in the cognitive development and higher risk of metabolic disease in later life. Nevertheless, to date, this syndrome is poorly understood and exiting treatments correct only for a fraction of the disturbances encountered by these children. There is evidence that a chronic, inflammatory disease of the small intestine, termed environmental enteric disease (EED) and associated microbiota-changes are major drivers of this syndrome. This project aims to test the growth of different health-deteriorating and health promoting bacterial strains isolated from small intestinal aspirates and feces from stunted children living in Sub- Saharan Africa in the presence of libraries of food-derived and antimicrobial substances. Secondly, the project also aims to establish a robust mouse model for environmental enteropathy as a preclinical model to test potential therapeutics to treat EED and stunted child growth.

Within the context of this project we are seeking to fill three positions:

A postdoctoral research fellow in microbiome engineering (100%, 24 months) at the University of Tübingen, Germany

 The candidate will be responsible to systematically profile bacterial growth of clinical isolates and type strains in the presence of diverse compound libraries with main focus on computational data analysis and data integration. For this position, we request a solid background in microbiology/ bioinformatics/ systems biology and computational biology and candidates should have completed their PhD in one of these fields. Sound skills in statistics and knowledge of a scripting language are a must. Previous experience with high-throughput screening approaches is a plus.

 In addition, the candidate should be/have

• Documented scientific excellence in the form of high-quality publication record
• Experience in doing research in multidisciplinary environments
• Self-driven, talented, proactive and independent
• Innovative and enthusiastic towards new ideas, fascinated by the gut microbiome
• Team oriented
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

A postdoctoral research fellow in microbiology (100%, 24 months) at the Swiss TPH, Basel, Switzerland

The candidate will be responsible to isolate health-deteriorating and health-promoting bacteria (“next generation probiotics”) from human samples and to develop new tools to rapidly identify different members of the human microbiota. A strong background in bacteriology is therefore a must.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Isolating health-deteriorating and health-promoting bacteria (“next generation probiotics”) from human samples
• Develop new tools to rapidly identify different members of the human microbiota
• Perform in vitro and in vivo assays to assess for the biological functions of these bacteria
• Write reports and publications
• Disseminate your results at national and international conferences
• Other laboratory-based and analysis tasks as needed within the project

In addition, you should have the following experiences and skills in: 

• An excellent PhD in microbiology
• Previous experience in clinical microbiology, especially with anaerobic bacteria, would be an asset
• Previous work with rodent models would be a plus
• Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented working style
• Personal motivation and the ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• A strong interest in the microbiome and microbiota-targeted interventions

A scientific research assistant (50%, 12 months renewable) at the Swiss TPH, Basel, Switzerland

 The candidate will be responsible to set-up a cell-based assay as well as to adapt a mouse model to screen bacteria for given pathophysiological functions. Fort his position, we request previous experience with cell culture techniques and rodent models. Previous experience in bacteriology and work with rodent models would be a plus.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting-up a cell-based assay to screen bacteria for given pathophysiological functions
• Test given bacterial strains in in vitro models as well as an in vivo model of undernutrition
• Other laboratory-based and analysis tasks as needed within the project

You should have the following experiences and skills: 

• A MSc in microbiology or cell biology or any other relevant domain or a diploma as laboratory technician and several years of experience
• Previous experience in cell culture techniques
• Previous experience with bacterial culture, including anaerobic culture, would be an asset
• Previous work with rodent models would be a plus
• Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented working style
• Personal motivation and the ability to work independently as well as a member of a team

The project will be a close collaboration between the research teams of Dr. Lisa Maier, University of Tübingen and Dr. Pascale Vonaesch, Swiss TPH. We offer fully funded postdoctoral fellowship for two years and the opportunity to work in a young and dynamic team of microbiota experts. You can expect to author and co-author several articles and present your results at national and international conferences.