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.
A Post-Doctoral position is available in the Research group of Prof. Dirk Bumann at the Biozentrum, Basel. We are looking to recruit a highly motivated post-doc in imaging to join our team.
Infectious diseases are a major worldwide health concern, and new therapies are urgently needed. One key challenge for treating infections is the astonishing heterogeneity of pathogens in infected tissues. At the same time in the same tissue there are rapidly proliferating and largely quiescent pathogen subsets, which differ in stress exposure, nutrient supply, and many other aspects. Specific subsets are drivers of disease progression, whereas other subsets survive for extended times during antimicrobial chemotherapy thus delaying therapy success (Bumann 2015 CHMXXX).
What are the properties of these subsets, how is their fate determined, and how can we target critical subsets to improve treatment efficacy? To address these questions, we study suitable model pathogens (Salmonella, Pseudomonas, and Toxoplasma) with complementary cutting-edge technologies (FACSorting, mass-spec proteomics, molecular genetics, genome editing, confocal microscopy, and computational modeling: Cell XXX, PNAS, CHM 2x). Our highly international group includes microbiologists, biochemists, physicians, chemists, and pharmacologists, and attracts generous funding from various sources. We closely collaborate with both academic and big pharma partners in various countries. We are currently developing 3D tomography methods (2-photon serial tomography, serial blockface scanning electron microscopy) to follow key steps in the infection process in entire infected organs at nm to cm scales.
Responsibilities:
- To participate in tomography data acquisition, programming, image procession, image analysis, data interpretation, perturbation experiments with pathogen and host mutants as well as pharmacological intervention and vaccination.
Qualifications:
- PhDin computer science, physics, biology, chemistry, or any other appropriate area. Previous experience in image processing/analysis and/or software engineering, and a deep interest in infectious diseases would be helpful.
We offer:
- We are part of the Biozentrum that hosts numerous excellent labs with a wide and diverse range of interests and state-of-the art equipment (including TissueCyte 1000, Zeiss Merlin; Zeiss SPM 800, Leica SP8 and other confocal microscopes; FACSAria, FACS Fortessa; Orbitrap Q Exactive and other Orbitrap mass spec, etc).
- We offer an exciting and stimulating work environment.
- Salary and benefits are attractive.
Basel is an international city with people from 150 nations and major pharmaceutical companies, an outstanding cultural life and abundant outdoor opportunities including the Alps at a ca. 60 min train ride. Located on the border where three countries meet - Switzerland-Germany-France, it is Europe’s most important life sciences hub.
How to Apply:
Please send a pdf-file containing your C.V., letter of application including your research interests and contact info of two references to bumannstelle@unibas.ch.