Developing Next Generation Programmable Antibiotics

University of Wuerzburg
Institute for Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) and Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI)
Germany Bavaria Wuerzburg
www.uni-wuerzburg.de/fileadmin/32040000/2019/Aus_PhD_IMIBZINF.pdf

Description

The Vogel and Barquist research groups at the University of Würzburg and the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) are searching for a computational postdoctoral fellow or PhD student to work on developing the next generation of programmable antibiotics.

This project aims to use our labs’ expertise in non-coding RNA-based gene regulation and high-throughput functional genomics screens to develop antisense antibiotics that can target single pathogenic bacterial strains in mixed populations with high accuracy and efficiency. The successful candidate will be involved in the design and analysis of experiments at all stages of project development, and will have access to a wide range of techniques including RNA-seq, transposon insertion sequencing, sequencing-based experimental evolution assays, and metagenomics. The candidate will work with an experienced team of experimental and computational scientists to apply innovative statistical and machine learning techniques to functional genomic data analysis and antisense oligo design.


Qualifications

- A Master’s degree (for PhD students) or PhD (for postdoctoral fellows) in either a life science field with a strong computational component (e.g. genomics, bioinformatics) or a data intensive field.

- Solid programming skills in at least one scripting language (e.g. Python, Perl) and R. Experience with large data sets or sequencing data preferred.

- At least an undergraduate-level background in statistics. Experience with applied machine learning or Bayesian statistics preferred.

- Good written and spoken English-language communication skills, and interest in working as part of an international team of researchers.

- An interest in RNA biology, infection biology, and microbiology, or desire to learn.


Start date

To be determined

How to Apply

Please send your application as a single PDF file (including cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications, statement of current and future research, and contact information for two academic references) by November 30th, 2019 or requests for further information to lars.barquist@uni-wuerzburg.de


Contact

lars.barquist@uni-wuerzburg.de