Postdoctoral position at the Biomedical Center School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
A postdoctoral position on regulation of lung epithelia defenses is available at the University of Iceland (Reykjavik, Iceland). The title of the project is: „Host directed therapy by activating innate immunity“. The research project is on induction of signal pathways to counteract infections and pathogen interference with epithelium. The position is funded by Icelandic Research Fund (IRF or RANNIS). The project starts in the in spring 2019 and runs for two years with the possibility of extension for a year. The project is hosted at the BioMedical Center (BMC) of the University of Iceland.
Field of work
The project will focus on specific signal pathways of innate immunity in epithelial cells with emphasis on expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Antimicrobial peptides made by epithelia contribute to the defense barrier. AMPs keep infectious microbes at bay but several pathogens suppress AMP expression in epithelia to enter tissues of the body as part of their virulence. Such downregulation may be counteracted by small molecular inducers of AMP expression. The current project focuses on the effect of novel recently identified inducers that can counteract AMP suppression and/or strengthen the epithelial barrier. The effect of the novel inducers will be analyzed with reference to signal pathways and specific transcription factors in lung epithelial cells. Detailed effects of the inducers will be resolved by transcriptome analyses and inducer targets identified.
Theoretically the project is at the interphase of cell biology, biochemistry and immunology. It is founded in collaboration between professor Gudmundur H. Gudmundsson (University of Iceland) and professor Birgitta Agerberth (Karoliska Institute) with the following relevant references: 1) Miraglia E et al., Entinostat up-regulates the CAMP gene encoding LL-37 via activation of STAT3 and HIF-1α transcription factors. Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 16;6:33274. doi: 10.1038/srep33274 and 2) Sarker et al., Phenylbutyrate counteracts Shigella mediated downregulation of cathelicidin in rabbit lung and intestinal epithelia: a potential therapeutic strategy. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20637. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020637)
Qualification requirements
- Applicants are required to have a PhD degree in biology or biochemistry.
- Previous training in cell culture and biochemistry is essential
- Knowledge of bioinformatics and mass-spectrometry would be beneficial
- Fluency with English is required
Application process
The postdoctoral position starts in April 2019.
Applications must include: i) CV (including publications), ii) a list of courses and grades from bachelor and masters; a copy is sufficient; an official translation is not necessary at this stage, iii) title and abstract of PhD thesis, iv) a half page about your research interests and your strength, v) a half page (maximum) statement explaining why you would like to join us and what you have to offer the project, vi) names and contact information (email) for three references.
All applications will be answered and applicants will be informed about
the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications may be valid for six months.
Salary will be according to the current collective wage and salary agreement between the Union of University Teachers and the Minister of Finance.
Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland.
The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy.
The BioMedical Center at University of Iceland (http://lifvisindi.hi.is/) is the main site of academic research in biomedical sciences in Iceland. BioMedical Center at the University of Iceland offers an international environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. The Institute provides research facilities for teaching and research for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs ca. 360 people in academic positions. The School offers an international working environment, with the number of international employees and students increasing each year. Currently about quarter of all employees and graduate students are international. There are around 2900 students at the School, divided into six faculties, including approximately 350 MS students and 150 doctoral students. Research institutes at the School are the Science Institute that divides into the Institute of Earth Sciences and Institute of Physical Sciences, Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, Engineering Research Institute and the Institute for Sustainability Studies which is an interdisciplinary institute and belongs to the five schools of the University of Iceland.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://english.hi.is/vacancies