KINFO: PhD student position and MSc thesis project

[Salli Keinänen]

A PHD STUDENT POSITION:

Toxin-mediated perturbation of host cell signaling in bacterial infection

A PhD student position is available in the field of cellular microbiology in the research group of Arto Pulliainen, at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku.

You investigate how bacterial toxins recognize and enter the human cell and how the toxins manipulate the human cell signaling to ultimately influence the disease progression. You reach your research goals with a multidisciplinary approach utilizing functional genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, microscopy, structural biology, proteomics and RNA-Seq. Your project contributes to the development of new and targeted approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

To qualify for the position, you need: 1) high motivation level, work morale and independent initiative, and 2) completed or nearly completed MSc or an equivalent degree.

Please send your application in English as a single PDF document to Arto Pulliainen (arto.pulliainen at utu.fi), 6.12.2015 at the latest. The application has to contain: i) one page motivation letter, and ii) CV with contact information of at least two references.

The start time is negotiable, but January 2016 is preferable. The position includes a 3-month trial period.

Key project-specific publications:

Pulliainen, A.T., et al. (2012) Bacterial effector binds host cell adenylyl cyclase to potentiate Gs-dependent cAMP production. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 109:9581-9586.

Pulliainen, A.T., and Dehio, C. (2012) Persistence of Bartonella spp. stealth pathogens: from sub-clinical infections to vasoproliferative tumor formation. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 36:563-599.


MASTER THESIS / PRO GRADU PROJECT:

Host cell receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in bacterial infection

A master thesis / pro gradu project is available in the research group of Arto Pulliainen, at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku. The project is run in collaboration with the research group of professor Klaus Elenius, University of Turku.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) coordinate a wide variety of biological processes. However, their role in host cell responses to bacterial pathogen stimuli has just recently been recognized. The successful candidate performs systems level studies in order to screen for RTK activation and proteolytic processing upon infecting cells with clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. The in vitro wet-lab approaches are supplemented with in silico analysis of transcriptomic databases. The project contributes to the development of novel RTK-targeting approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, by combining the theoretical and methodological knowledge of laboratories working on bacterial pathogenesis and cancer. The project is currently streamlined as a master thesis / pro gradu project, but also provides an excellent opportunity to pursue further postgraduate research aiming for a PhD thesis.

Please send your application and CV by e-mail to Arto Pulliainen (arto.pulliainen at utu.fi) 13.12.2015 at the latest. The start time is negotiable, but January 2016 is preferable.


Further information:
Arto Pulliainen, PhD, Docent/Adjunct professor
Medical microbiology and immunology
Medical biochemistry and genetics
Institute of Biomedicine
Kiinamyllynkatu 10
FI-20520 TURKU
https://www.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/med/yksikot/laak_mikrobiologia/Tutkimus/tutkimusryhmat/Sivut/Bakteeritoksiinit.aspx
Phone: +358 (0)40 1586044
Email: arto.pulliainen at utu.fi

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Viestin välitti:

Salli Keinänen
Tiedotusvastaava, TYK ry
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