Postdoctoral position in phage-bacteria interactions in the honey bee gut

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The Department of Fundamental Microbiology offers a postdoctoral position in phage-bacteria interactions in the honey bee gut.

Job information

Starting date : December 1st 2024 or flexible
Length of contract : 1 year
Work percentage : 100%
Workplace : University of Lausanne

Your responsibilities

We are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated candidate to join our research group to work on the interaction between phages and bacteria in the honey bee gut. This work will take place in the framework of a SNSF funded project. In this project, we use computational and experimental approaches to study how phages influence strain-level diversity of different microbiota members. The project will include experiments with gnotobiotic bees (50%), and bioinformatics analysis of 16S RNA and viral metagenomics (30%) and writing and reading scientific literature (20%).This project will advance our general understanding of the evolution and ecology of gut microbiota-phage interactions.

Our group is part of the Department of Fundamental Microbiology, a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and team-oriented scientific environment. Our group consists of a diverse mix of microbiologists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists from all over the world that specialize in bioinformatics and wet-lab approaches, and are funded through the University of Lausanne and the Swiss National Science Foundation. We are equipped with state-of-the art infrastructures enabling cutting-edge research with access to many core facilities located on campus (microscopy, proteomics, sequencing facilities, computational cluster). We have strong ties to other Departments within the University, such as the Department of Ecology and Evolution, and also actively collaborate with other research teams within and outside of Switzerland, for example in Southeast Asia and Brazil. Last but not least, our department is situated on a beautiful campus at the shore of Lake Geneva with a great view of the Alps and with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

In summary, the prospective Postdoc will work on an exciting research project in a highly vibrant environment. Beside the possibility to publish impactful research papers, the postdoc will be trained in cutting-edge bioinformatics analyses and gnototobiotic bee methods, obtain a deep understanding of microbial ecology and evolution, and acquire important skills in science communication and project management.

For recent publications from the lab, please visit the lab webpage at https://engelbeelab.com/.

At least 80% of the working time will be dedicated to personal research. The remaining of the working time may be dedicated to teaching (organization and supervision of student practicals).

Your qualifications

Applicants should have a PhD thesis in microbiology, bee health bioinformatics, ecology, or evolutionary biology. Prior research experience honey bee experiments, bacteria and phages is desired. A good command of the English language, a high personal motivation to excel in science and a curious mind are required. We offer a stimulating environment in a diverse research group combining computational (i.e., microbial genomics and ecology) and experimental approaches to study microbial symbiosis in the gut. The focus of the project can be adapted to the interests of the applicant.

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Contact for further information

For questions concerning the application, position, or research topic, or in case of problems with accessing the UNIL career portal using the above link, please do not hesitate to contact us : E-Mail schreiben

Your application

We will start to evaluate applications beginning of November. The deadline for submitting an application will be : 10.11.2024.

Please submit your full application (in English) including motivation letter, CV, list of publications (if available), copy of the Master thesis (if available) and the names and addresses of two referees via the official UNIL career portal. Only applications through the official website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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