Post-doctoral research fellowship (2 years) - In vitro investigations of bacterial stringent response
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Department of Molecular Biology and the laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS)
Our lab research interests center around protein biosynthesis and its regulation. One of the molecular mechanisms we are working on is bacterial stringent response. The stringent response is an adaptation mechanism to various stress stimuli – amino acid starvation, phosphate starvation, fatty acid starvation, heat shock – and plays central role in bacterial virulence and antibiotic tolerance. We investigate the stringent response both in vitro using cell-free stringent response system and in vivo using various assays: we follow the stringent response alarmone ppGpp by HPLC and follow activation of the stringent response in the living cells using microscopy. Our overreaching aims are to investigate the mechanism of the stringent response both on the molecular level and on the bacterial population level, and to develop selective stringent response inhibitors.
The project is focused on in vitro investigations of the stringent response using an in vitro system from purified components. There are two specific topics: 1) investigation of the molecular mechanism of the ppGpp-mediated activation of RelA 2) characterization of ppGpp-based stringent response inhibitors.
Qualified applicants should have a PhD degree in an area of relevance for the project, for example in molecular biology. The successful candidate should have a good working knowledge of standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, with experience with investigations of translational machinery or / and the stringent response being highly desirable. The PhD degree should not be older than three years.
The fellowship is for 2 years and will be paid to the candidate as a tax-free stipend (20 800 SEK per month). The stipend will be paid directly to the stipendee from the Kempe foundation in Örnsköldsvik.
The application should include a cover letter, CV with complete publication list, a copy of the PhD certificate and the names and contact details of at least two references. The application must be submitted electronically in pdf-format.
For further information please contact Dr. Vasili Hauryliuk, asili.hauryliuk@molbiol.umu.se.
Your complete application, marked with reference number 223-1001-13 should be sent to medel@diarie.umu.se (state the reference number as subject) to arrive June 12, 2013 at the latest.