1 Postdoctoral position in the “Pathogenesis of vascular infections” research unit in France | Institut Pasteur

A postdoctoral position, funded by the Laboratory of Excellence Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (LabEx IBEID: https://www.pasteur.fr/labex/ibeid), is available in the “Pathogenesis of vascular infections” research unit directed by Guillaume Duménil at the Institut Pasteur in Paris (https://guillaumedumenillab.weebly.com/). This new unit will be created at the Institut Pasteur in the summer of 2015.

Infectious diseases leading to colonization of the blood by the infectious agent are a major burden to society and lead to a wide array of devastating clinical manifestations including septic shock, hemorrhagic syndromes and infection of the brain (meningitis). The main goal of the proposed project is to decipher the pathophysiological processes underlying these infections taking advantage of a combination of recent imaging techniques. A central question of the project is to understand the mechanisms leading to the loss of vascular integrity and function during these infections. The experimental strategy relies on a recently developed humanized mouse model of infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (Melican et al., PLoS Pathog., 2013). Imaging methods available in the team to address these points include spinning disc confocal fluorescence microscopy, bioluminescence and biphotonic imaging.

Candidate requirement

We are looking for a highly motivated young investigator trained in the field of imaging and vascular biology, microcirculation in particular. Prior training and/or interest pathophysiological mechanisms of infectious diseases will be favorably considered. Prior experience in research involving experimentation with mice including surgical skills is a requirement. On a personal level we are seeking a person with excellent scientific and organizational skills; ability to work independently; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; good English language skills for oral presentations and scientific writing.