PostDoc Project – Interplay between Chlamydia and Mitochondria in Host-Pathogen Interaction and Cell-Autonomous Immunity

Project: With over 130 million cases annually, Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial agent of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as a common cause of blinding eye infections. Within the patient, the pathogen invades epithelial cells to exploit them as a growth niche. Because C. trachomatis depends on host cell-derived metabolites and energy for its growth, it needs to preserve the functional intactness of its host cell. In this context, the host cell’s mitochondria play a central role, not only because they are the powerhouses of the cell, but also because their dysfunction could act as a danger signal alarming the host cell of the invader. The purpose of this project is to determine the role of mitochondrial distress in cell-autonomous immunity against Chlamydia.

Environment: This project represents a collaboration between two research groups (the groups of Barbara Sixt and Paulina Wanrooij) at Umeå University (located in Umeå, Sweden), who like to join forces with their complementary expertise in infection biology and studies on mitochondria. The postdoc to be recruited will also be affiliated with the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), a part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, and the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), providing a stimulating, collaborative, and highly international environment with excellent access to modern research facilities. The city Umeå itself combines a rich cultural life with exceptional closeness to nature and is particularly welcoming to internationals.

Qualifications: To be eligible for the postdoc program, candidates must hold a University degree equivalent to a European University PhD degree in a relevant field. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than the application closing date. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. To be considered for the project, candidates must have documented practical experience in molecular biology techniques and mammalian cell culture. Previous practical experience in conducting infection experiments with intracellular bacterial pathogens is a desirable skill, as is experience in studying mitochondrial function and/or immune signaling. Candidates should be passionate about science, willing to take on scientific challenges, and committed to highest quality research. Candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English, to work as part of an interactive team, to participate in the mentoring of less experienced team members, and to have the capacity to individually develop and drive a research project.

Project duration: 2 years (with possibility for further prolongation depending on satisfactory performance)

Starting date: preferentially fall 2024

Application: The project is part of the “Interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowships at the Chemical Biological Centre” postdoc program at Umeå University. Further practical information and information about how to apply to the project can be found here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/6-489-24/. In your application, indicate your interest in project 3 (Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in host cell-autonomous immunity against Chlamydia). Application deadline: 9 April 2024.

Potential applicants are also welcome to contact Barbara Sixt (barbara.sixt@umu.se) and/or Paulina Wanrooij (paulina.wanrooij@umu.se) in advance for additional information about the project and the program. Please be aware that this does not replace the need to submit an application to the postdoc program.

To find out more about the labs and research environment, visit the following websites:

• The Sixt Lab:http://www.sixtlab.org/
• The Wanrooij Lab: http://pwanrooijlab.com/
• Umeå University: http://www.umu.se/en/
• Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR): http://www.ucmr.umu.se
• The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS): https://www.umu.se/mims/
• Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine: https://projects.au.dk/nordic-embl-partnership/
• Umeå PostDoc Society: https://umeapostdocsociety.se/