The Unit Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation located at Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, a non-profit private foundation that contributes to research in biology, is looking for a
Post Doc position in Towards a combined post-exposure prophylaxis and successful treatment of rabies in humans (4th International call Infect-ERA: ToRRENT)
- Description
Rabies is an untreatable disease of humans, which has a case-fatality rate of almost 100% in non-vaccinated individuals. The etiological agents of rabies are viruses of the globally distributed lyssavirus genus, the best characterized of which is rabies virus (RABV) that infects diverse mammalian species with transmission to humans most commonly through bites from infected dogs. In humans, rabies prevention is achieved by either pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The ToRRENT project will provide proof of concept in animals of a new post-exposure treatment (PET) of rabies based on a novel combined prophylactic/therapeutic approach. It will involve in vitro and in vivo experiments using recombinant fluorescent viruses and primary neuronal cell cultures and recombinant mice models to characterize the site of entry, replication efficiency, persistence of virus in cells and spreading in the infected host in the presence or absence of novel combined prophylactic and therapeutic compounds. This project represents a unique opportunity for a major paradigm shift in rabies in which a new treatment combining antiviral drugs with immunotherapy will substitute the current PEP approach. It is funded by a grant obtained from Infect-ERA, an ERA-NET on human infectious diseases funded under the Seventh Research Framework Programme.
- Qualification
The position is ideally suited for highly motivated and enthusiastic applicants with a PhD and a strong background in virology, molecular, cellular biology and imaging with an established publication record and a strong interest in neurobiology. Skills in animal (mice model) experiments using imaging and fluorescent recombinant viruses are mandatory.
Strong written and oral communications skills in english are required.
- Additional Information :
Dead line for submission: October 20th 2017
Start date : available from now (duration 2 years)
Location : Paris, France
Applicants should send their CV, a list of publication, a summary of their previous research activities (≤3 pages), a personal statement and the names of three referees to the following e-mail address : malika.jellaoui@pasteur.fr and use the following reference in the subject of the message: PostDoc Torrent.
Website of the unit: https://research.pasteur.fr/fr/team/lyssavirus-dynamics-and-host-adaptation/