Postdoctoral Researcher in Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Tolerance

Infectious diseases are a major worldwide health concern. One particularly important problem is the co-existence of diverse pathogen subsets in the same infected tissue. Some subsets are in a special physiological state that makes them refractory against antibiotics ("tolerance"). These pathogens can survive even after prolonged therapy and cause relapses and accelerated resistance development. Although many labs investigate this problem in vitro, mechanisms that operate in relevant in vivo conditions remain largely unknown and probably differ markedly from those in vitro. We develop and apply novel approaches to address this highly relevant issue (e.g., Cell 2014; CHM 2014, 2015; Nat Microbiol 2017). We collaborate with multi-national groups from academia, hospitals, and industry.

 

Your position

To determine pathogen heterogeneity in pre-clinical infection models during bacterial infection and treatment. We will use biosensors, flow cytometry sorting, proteomics and advanced in vivo imaging. Our aim is to identify markers for relevant pathogen subpopulations for analysis of human clinical samples.

 

Your profile

PhD in one of the following disciplines: biophysics, chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry. You have a deep interest in infectious diseases and preferentially some hands-on experience in animal models.

 

We offer you

Our multidisciplinary group includes microbiologists, biochemists, chemists, pharmacologists, and software engineers with expertise in proteomics, multi-color high-speed FACS sorting, confocal microscopy, whole-organ serial two-photon tomography, microbial genetics, and in silico modeling (Nature 440, 303-7; Science 333, 228-33; PNAS 111, 9929-34; Cell 158, 722-33; Nat Microbiol 2, 1616-23).

We also have excellent support from core facilities with expert staff and state-of-the art equipment (including Orbitrap Fusion Lumos and Thermo Q-Exactive HF mass spectrometers and several other instruments; FACSAria, FACS Fortessa; TissueVision; Zeiss LSM 800 Airyscan).

The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the leading institutes worldwide for molecular and biomedical basic research and teaching. It is home to more than 30 research groups with scientists from over 40 countries. Research at the Biozentrum focuses on the areas of Cell Growth & Development, Infection Biology, Neurobiology, Structural Biology & Biophysics and Computational & Systems Biology. With its more than 550 employees, the Biozentrum is the largest department at the University of Basel's Faculty of Science.