C. elegans innate immunity - probing the mechanisms of C. elegans infection by a new natural oomycete pathogen

BBSRC funded 3 year PhD position in the Department of Life Sciences

C. elegans innate immunity

A PhD position is available in the group of Dr. Michalis Barkoulas at Imperial College London. The PhD student will be registered with the Life Sciences Department and will be jointly supervised by Dr. Michalis Barkoulas, Professor Pietro Spanu and Dr. Tolga Bozkurt.

The topic is C. elegans innate immunity and more specifically probing the mechanisms of C. elegans infection by a new natural oomycete pathogen. Oomycetes are eukaryotic pathogens with fungal-like features that cause disease in humans, significant problems in aquaculture and loss of production in plants. Although plant pathogenic species have been widely studied, research on animal pathogenic oomycetes has been very limited due to the absence of tractable experimental systems. The group has recently isolated an obligate biotrophic oomycete, Myzocytiopsis spp., naturally infecting the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to establish an amenable experimental system to study animal / oomycete interactions.

The PhD student will explore mechanisms of infection by addressing how precisely the oomycete overcomes nematode immunity and how the host innate immunity fights back the infection. This project provides a good opportunity for both experimental and computational work. Experiments include genetic and RNAi screens, molecular biology and microscopy. The student will also deal with next-generation sequencing analysis of new genomes and transcriptome data.

Qualifications/ Eligibility
We are seeking a highly motivated person with a strong interest in basic research on model animal systems. Candidates must have (or expected to have by October 2015) a MRes/MSc degree in Biological sciences, or related subject, and at least a 2.1 BSc, or equivalent qualifications. Previous experience with C. elegans or with bioinformatics and programming would be a strong advantage but neither is essential. The candidates should also have good communication skills and ability to work both in a team and independently.

The PhD position is funded at the UK-European level, providing fees and about 16 K p.a. stipend for a period of three years starting at, or before, 1 October 2015. The fees and stipend cover UK and European applicants only and standard research council eligibility criteria apply. (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/bbsrcdoctoraltrainingpartnership/eligibility). Overseas candidates are not eligible for this studentship.

Applications
Applications should be emailed to Michalis Barkoulas ([Email Address Removed]) by 15th March 2015.
Please include in your application:
1) a full CV (including the contact details of at least two referees).
2) a one-page motivation letter describing your previous studies and research experience and why you decided to apply for this position.

Please inform your referees that they will be contacted immediately upon receipt of your application to provide a reference letter, as full applications will be considered at any time.

For any question regarding the position please contact Michalis Barkoulas [Email Address Removed]