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Post-doctoral Position in Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatic analysis

Department/Area: Microbiology/Bacterial and Viral Infections

Location of the position: Barcelona Research Centre for International Health (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona) in its laboratories at the Esther Koplowitz Centre, Barcelona, Spain

Category: Post-doctoral Position

PURPOSE AND BASIC DUTIES

The emergence of Antibiotic-­‐resistant bacteria (ARB) is a global problem, having recently been elevated to the top three threats identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and subject of numerous national and international government activities, including the Trans-­‐Atlantic Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance established by the US and EU presidencies

While the threat of antimicrobial resistance is growing, so are the challenges to bringing forward new therapeutic options for patients infected with resistant organisms. There is a need for a better understanding of how antimicrobial resistance is evolving globally, of what novel molecular mechanisms can be exploited as new forms of antimicrobial therapy and of how to more efficiently develop new treatments so they can be more rapidly brought to patients in need.

The main goal of this position is to identify and test host diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI) within the context of an international project involving leading European researchers in antimicrobial resistance and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Next-generation sequencing will be used to screen for miRNAs and mRNAs in serum and peripheral blood cells as biomarkers for CAP and ABSSSI in preclinical models. PCR-based detection assays will be developed for candidates identified in the above screens. Whole-genome sequencing of selected bacterial strains will also be used to further screen for suitable targets.

Candidates will be responsible for the sequencing of the samples, data analysis and computational aspects of the sequencing operations, including setting up appropriate analysis pipelines and sample tracking databases.

 

PROFILE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

Essential requirements are a PhD in Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biology or similar areas, a good English level and a strong background in applied DNA and RNA sequence analysis. Experience in the analysis of next generation sequencing data and 454 platforms is highly desirable. Applicants will need excellent programming skills in languages such as Perl, C/C++, R, Python, Java, SQL or similar and must be proficient in English, both written and spoken as well as show outstanding communication skills.

Candidates are expected to be highly skilled in their field, self-motivated, eager to take the initiative, in possession of good interpersonal skills and able to cooperate with PhD fellows and researchers from other fields.

Interested candidates should send their full CV and bibliography, summary of past accomplishments and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees, as well as a brief statement of interest to:

Jordi Vila: jvila@ub.edu

or

Ignasi Roca: igroca@clinic.ub.es


APPLICATION DEADLINE

31 May 2013

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