We have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow contributing to the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation funded project ‘Gregarines – an aquatic symbiosis model system’. Gregarine apicomplexans are critical links in the evolution of symbiosis in the Apicomplexa and important players in structuring host populations, communities, and ecosystems. A gregarine-focused model system will enable us to advance the fundamental knowledge on the evolutionary steps of symbiosis, by identifying key cellular and molecular transitions.
In this project we aim to develop a 3-step culturing system for aquatic gregarine apicomplexans 1) Invertebrate in-vitro culture development (including omics work), 2) Invertebrate in-vitro tissue culture development, 3) In-vitro axenic culture. To develop such a culturing system, we initially need to obtain a set of ‘omics data that will provide a better understanding of the biology of various aquatic gregarine-host systems.
Our School of Applied Sciences tackles global and local issues affecting health, society and the environment. Home to expertise in Biosciences, Criminology, Psychology & Sociology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Education, and Veterinary Nursing, we also lead the Scottish Institute for Policing Research and the Mobility and Migration Research Network. Edinburgh Napier University is the ‘#1 Modern University in Scotland’. An innovative, learner centric university with a modern and fresh outlook, Edinburgh Napier is ambitious, inclusive in its ethos and applied in its approach.
The roleThe applicant will join the international project team involving Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), the University of Kent (UoK), the University of Rhode Island (URI), USA and the Institute of Parasitology (IoP), Czech Republic. The research fellow will support the delivery of project step 1, focusing on the host’s metabolomics, in collaboration with Dr Sonja Rueckert (ENU) and Dr Anastasios Tsaousis (UoK).
The main objectives are:
The PDRA will spend 3-6 months at ENU for gregarine handling and sample preparation and the remaining months at the UoK for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics and data analyses. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues on the project and contribute to the effective communication and publication of the outcomes.
Who we are looking for We invite applications from a highly self-motivated individual with a strong interest in the culture of parasitic microbial eukaryotes (gregarine apicomplexans) and the interplay between parasites and the host’s microbiome.
The ideal candidate should have previous experience with microbial biology, molecular genetics, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics and bioinformatics for data analyses.
The applicant will have experience in interdisciplinary teamwork, plus the ability to communicate complex information clearly in English, both orally and in writing.
Please click here to view the role profile/description.
Benefits we offer
Salary: GBP 32,816 - GBP 39,152 (Grade 5)
Further information can be found here.
Additional information Application closing date: Thursday 25th February at 11.59pm
Interviews: Wednesday 10th March 2021
For an informal discussion about this position please contact Sonja Rueckert S.Rueckert@napier.ac.uk , and for general queries recuitment@napier.ac.uk
Please note that the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any candidate for this role.
Edinburgh Napier University is committed to the creation of an inclusive culture.