Recently established research team studying signal pathways during the invasion of the Babesia parasite to the host cell offers a postdoc position.

Research description: Functional Analysis of Babesia Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases

Babesia is a tick-transmitted parasite infecting a variety of animals including humans. Central to  Babesia pathogenesis is parasitism inside host erythrocytes – an ability shared with its apicomplexan relative Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. Invasion to host cells and subsequent intracellular multiplication of these parasites are orchestrated by a wide repertoire of molecules including the calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs). Our research is targeted to the unbiased screen of yet unrevealed Babesia divergens CDPKs and their association with fundamental biological processes using a newly established platform of transgenic techniques. Comprehensive biochemical and functional characterization of intraerythrocytic BdCDPK isoenzymes will be accompanied by their targeted inhibition using a library of Bumped Kinase Inhibitors (BKIs) to evaluate BdCDPKs as potential drug targets.

Requirements:

• interest in an academic career
• PhD degree in biology or chemistry
• analytical skills, independence and motivation
• excellent communication skills and sense of responsibility
• previsous laboratory experience and knowledge of basic methods of parasitology and molecular biology
• active knowledge of English
• knowledge of the principles of genome editing and microscopic techniques is an advantage

What do we offer :

• attractive research combining parasitology and molecular biology
• full time position for 18 months
• possibility of further education according to the individual motivation
• regular participation in foreign conferences
• possibility of internships abroad in cooperating laboratories
• 5 weeks of holidays, discounted mobile and banking services, MS Office for personal use, language courses

Start date: August/September 2023 or upon agreement  

Please submit your structured CV and cover letter via e-mail to jobs@prf.jcu.cz by June 30th 2023. For more information, please visit: www.prf.jcu.cz .