Job Board > Postdoctoral Fellow - Dalhousie University
Postdoctoral Positions available in Host-Pathogen Interactions (Complex Immune Disorders; Single-Cell Omics; Genetics of Drosophila melanogaster; CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, Cell and Tissue Imaging, Lipidomics, TEM)
We are recruiting a goal-oriented, creative, collaborative and highly-motivated postdoc to use multi-omics assays, genetics and high-resolution imaging to study the previously unexplored role of peroxisomes. Peroxisomes are ubiquitous metabolic organelles recently discovered to participate in host-pathogen interactions and complex autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. We perform both bulk and single-cell genomic, transcriptomic, lipidomic and proteomic assays to study the role of peroxisomes in innate immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells in shaping the immune system. Complementarily, we also develop and apply cutting-edge imaging to observe the interactions between microbes (pathogens and commensals) and the immune system, by direct visualization of molecular and cellular interactions at the single-cell, and tissue level. Our scope ranges from fundamental molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. We use mainly the Drosophila melanogaster model but also mouse models as well as human samples for research with goals for advancing fundamental sciences as well as clinical applications. Our research is highly interdisciplinary and involves close collaborations between the Issekutz, Marshall and the McCormick labs at Dalhousie University. Furthermore, we have collaborations with the University of Amsterdam to develop specific lipidomic profiles of immune cells.
We encourage applicants with relevant experience in immunology, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or relevant fields to join our team. Experiences in large-scale dataset analysis through the use of programming languages would be a asset. Successful applicants are expected to have a PhD or MD/PhD with substantial research experience. Prior experience with sequencing, flow cytometry, Drosophila or mouse genetics, and imaging are preferred but not required. Demonstration of excellent teamwork and collaborative skills will be highly desirable.
For further information please contact Dr. Di Cara at dicara@dal.ca. Applicants should submit a CV including a publication list, a letter of interest, and three academic reference letters. Dalhousie University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the Dal non-discrimination policy.
Salary: 50000
dicara@dal.ca
Francesca Di Cara currently works as Assistant Professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University. Her most recent publication is 'Dysfunctional peroxisomes compromise gut structure and host defense by increased cell death and Tor-dependent autophagy". He research explores essential functions for peroxisomes in immunity. In a recent work (Di Cara et al., 2017), sheprovided the first demonstration of peroxisome direct involvement in immune defense, with evidence of peroxisome requirements in phagocytic pathogen clearance and innate immune signaling in peripheral macrophages and gut epithelial cells.Her research program aims to define peroxisome-specific requirements during immune challenge.
