Open position at the Leptospira Adaptation to Oxidative Stress group (https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/leptospira-adaptation-to-oxidative-stress/) of the Biology of Spirochetes Unit (https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/biology-of-spirochetes/) in the department of Microbiology.
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic post-doctoral fellow to join a collaborative project aiming at studying how Leptospira adaptation to oxidative stress and to microaerophilic conditions have shaped their virulence.
Project Overview:
Leptospira is a bacterial genus that encompasses environmental saprophytes as well as pathogenic species responsible for the zoonotic disease leptospirosis. The clinical manifestations of this infection range from a febrile state to a severe life-threatening form characterized by multiple organ hemorrhages. Each year, 1 million of severe leptospirosis cases are estimated worldwide, with 10% of mortality.
Leptospira are understudied bacteria; their virulence mechanisms or how they survive inside hosts remain largely unknown. The ability of pathogenic Leptospira to resist oxidative stress is essential for their virulence. Interestingly, the repertoire of oxidative stress-related scavenging enzymes is different across the genus Leptospira, suggesting that the oxidative stress response has evolved with pathogenicity in this genus.
The aim of this project is to investigate the adaptation to oxidative stress and to microaerophilic conditions across the genus Leptospira, and to decipher the evolutionary trajectories that have led to the adaptation to host condition.This project will be conducted in collaboration with the teams of Dr Isabelle Martin-Verstraete (Institut Pasteur, France) and Dr Frédéric Veyrier (Institut Armand-Frappier, INRS, Canada).
References: Kebouchi et al. (2018), doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.804443 ; Zavala et al. (2020), doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008904 ; Zavala et al. (2021), doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009087 ; Grassmann et al. (2021), doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009078 ; G. Huete & Benaroudj (2023), doi: 10.3390/antiox12061273 ; Giraud-Gatineau et al. (2024), doi: 10.1093/molbev/msae066 ; G. Huete et al. (2024), doi: 10.1101/2024.09.25.614947.
Leptospira are understudied bacteria; their virulence mechanisms or how
Your Role:
As the key player of the project, you will decipher the mechanisms allowing Leptospira species to adapt to oxidants and low oxygen tension and study how these adaptive responses are transcriptionally regulated.
Profile:
The candidate must hold a PhD degree and have experience in Microbiology and Molecular Biology with a particular interest for Bacteriology. Skills in RNASeq, bacterial genetics and/or in vivo infection models will be appreciated. Applicants should demonstrate good communication skills, autonomy, teamwork skills, and a passion for scientific thinking. The candidate is expected to contribute both experimentally and intellectually to the development of the project.
Starting Date & Duration:
This position is opened starting January 2025 for a total of 24 months. Salary will be commensurate to previous experience and in line with institutional guidelines. Applications will be examined until the position is filled.
Location:
The Institut Pasteur (https://www.pasteur.fr/en) is a world-renowned center of excellence for its research in biology, infectious diseases and immunology. The Institut Pasteur is located in the center of Paris and offers outstanding research facilities providing cutting edge technologies, including state-of-the-art omics. You will benefit from an international and stimulating multidisciplinary research environment. Our group is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and friendly working environment, as well as promoting personal and career development.
How to Apply:
Send your CV (including research summary and list of publications) and a motivation letter with at least two references (in a single pdf file) to nadia.benaroudj@pasteur.fr (Please include Postdoc_PTR as the head of your mail).