Project: Diversified cytokine regulation of inflammation in parrots and passerine birds
Research group: Biodiversity
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Cytokines are protein signalling molecules that evolve to precisely regulate immunological processes in vertebrates. Several cytokines modulate inflammation, a well-known ‘double edged sword’ of immunity that can clear a pathogen infection as well as kill the host. Being soluble they have the capacity to systemically affect various tissues, including other physiological systems involved in self-maintenance and reproduction. In this project we are interested in describing the effect of inflammation on brain function and cognition in two related avian clades – the passerine birds and parrots.
The objective of this PostDoc project is to characterise tissue-specific cytokine expression changes linked to local and/or systemic inflammation in the selected taxa of birds. A biodiversity-based approach will be adopted to reveal interspecific and intraspecific variation in the selected cytokine genes. The main model species of the research will be the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), the great tit (Parus major) and the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). Additional species will be included for interspecific comparison. Methods such as tissue-specific RNA-seq, RT-qPCR and proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid through gel-free quantitative LC-MS/MS will be used. Focusing on birds that represent superior models for research in cognition to rodents (passerines and parrots), this PostDoc project opens new possibilities for interdisciplinary research of neuroimmunology as well as to understanding the evolutionary processes forming immune defence in vertebrates.
We seek for a researcher with experience in molecular genetics, evolutionary genetics, immunology and/or zoology - PhD degree in one of these or related fields and good English language skills (at least basic).
We offer a Research Fellow position at the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University based in Prague, Czech Republic, EU. This is a full time, ~year contract starting from April-May 2019 (flexible), ending on 31.5. 2020 (flexible, can be extended based on mutual agreement).
Salary: 26,000-34,000 CZK per month*# (320,000 CZK-400,000 ~ €12,500 – 16,000 per annum; * standard local salary, fully sufficient to cover living costs in Prague; # the final salary will be adjusted at specific check points based on research productivity).
The research fellow will be part of a young and enthusiastic interdisciplinary and international team (http://web.natur.cuni.cz/zoologie/biodiversity/eei/people) and where she/he will be supervised by Dr. Michal Vinkler (http://web.natur.cuni.cz/zoologie/biodiversity/eei/people/#post-73). We expect at least two articles being published in international peer-review journals in the period of two years from the beginning of the fellowship. Active participation at international scientific conferences will be encouraged and supported. The research fellow will also contribute to the supervision of students as needed.
Please send (1) CV including a list of publications, (2) copy of PhD diploma, (3) motivation letter, and (3) contact details for 2–3 referees (references) to Dr. Michal Vinkler (michal.vinkler@natur.cuni.cz) by 17th February 2019.
Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. Yet it is also renowned as a modern, dynamic, cosmopolitan and prestigious institution of higher education. It is the largest and most renowned Czech university, and it is also the best-rated Czech university according to international rankings. There are 17 faculties at the University, plus 3 institutes and 6 other centres. The Faculty of Science was established in 1920 as the fifth faculty of Charles University. It currently has 29 departments, 3 museums and a Botanical Garden.
The Laboratory for Evolutionary and Ecological Immunology (team leader Dr. Michal Vinkler) at the Department of Zoology is oriented at research in animal defence against infectious diseases, animal immunology, immunogenetics (e.g., innate immunity receptors, antimicrobial peptides, to lesser extent acquired immunity molecules such as MHC) and investigation of functionally relevant variability in the ecological context. Our strength is in application of the evolutionary medicine theory and methodological approaches of evolutionary biology (including tests of natural selection acting on individual genetic variants involving predictions of protein functional changes in response to pathogen-mediated selective pressures). We use non-model avian species and traditional poultry breeds for our investigation.
This project is a collaborative project with Laboratory of Sensory and Evolutionary Neurobiology (team leader Dr. Pavel Němec) that performs research in the fields of comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy and neurobiology. The research facility is located at the very centre of Prague being ideally situated for interaction with several other internationally recognised institutions.
For further information see the EEI group web page "here", the web of the Faculty of Science, Charles University "link here" or contact Dr. Michal Vinkler at michal.vinkler@natur.cuni.cz.
We are looking forward to receiving your application until 17th February 2019.
Deadline is closed