We are looking for a competent and enthusiastic individual to join our lab and work on how fungi can subvert host defence mechanisms. The fungus Drechmeria coniospora is a natural pathogen of C. elegans and the 2 species have had a long co-evolution. We have recently sequenced and annotated the D. coniospora genome, uncovering a wide range of potential virulence strategies [1]. C. elegans has sophisticated defence mechanisms [2,3] and we have evidence that D. coniospora directly targets host immunity pathways. The project promises to reveal exciting new biological mechanisms. In addition to a background in C. elegans and an interest in host-pathogen interactions, the ideal candidate would also have some experience in fungal genetics.
The lab is located at the CIML, on the multidisciplinary Luminy science campus on the outskirts of Marseille in the south of France 8).
The post-doc position is available immediately and currently funded for 3 years. Recruitment could, however, be postponed until mid-2018 for a suitable candidate.
Please send applications (brief letter of motivation and CV, with the names of at least 2 referees) to ewbank@ciml.univ-mrs.fr to whom informal inquiries should also be addressed.
[1] Lebrigand et al. PLoS Genetics 2016
[2] Zugasti et al. Nature Immunology 2014
[3] Zugasti et al. BMC Biology 2016
http://www.ciml.univ-mrs.fr/science/lab-jonathan-ewbank/experts