The Baumgarten Lab at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, is recruiting a
PhD student
to join our team investigating the role of the mRNA modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) across the human malaria parasite life cycle.
Post-transcriptional regulation is key for the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in its human host, the mosquito vector, and transmission between the two. The chemical modification of mRNAs, such as N6-methylation of adenosines, is a key transcriptome-wide mechanism to regulate these processes. Through a highly adenosine-biased transcriptome and its complex lifecycle, P. falciparum features one of the most widespread and dynamic m6A methylation programs known as yet, providing an exciting new opportunity to understand the elusive biology of this pathogen.
The overall goal of our research is to characterize the post-transcriptional processes that are mediated by this mRNA modification and how it affects parasite development, life cycle progression, and adaptation to different host and vector environments.
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated student with a background in molecular and cellular biology or biochemistry and preferably with basic computational or experimental expertise to join our new research team. The successful candidate should be a true team player and prepared to think outside of the box. They will receive a comprehensive training in molecular biology, ranging from CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to next-generation sequencing and the opportunity to independently develop and present their project at international conferences.
The Baumgarten Lab is a newly created group in the Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors at the Institut Pasteur, located in the heart of Paris, France. The campus provides a state-of-the-art infrastructure though its core laboratories and access to the international Pasteur research network. The Institut has a vibrant graduate community and includes research teams covering all fields of biomedical research, providing an excellent training environment for young researchers.
The position is fully funded through an ERC research grant for a period of 3 years.
If you are an enthusiastic graduate who wants to join us in this exciting quest to decipher the best-guarded secrets of the malaria parasite and the fundamentals of gene regulation, please send your CV, the names and contact information of three references and a motivation letter to sebastian.baumgarten@pasteur.fr.