Post-Doctoral Researcher

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Position available for:

The Cestari Lab https://www.cestarilab.com/

Institute of Parasitology, McGill University

Division of Experimental Medicine,

McGill University Contact: Igor Cestari, Prof. e-mail: [email protected]; phone: +1 514 398 8764

Position Summary:
A postdoctoral scientist position is available for a highly motivated individual interested in drug and vaccine target discovery for Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 8 million people worldwide. The project involves exploring yeast surface display expressing a genome-wide library of Trypanosoma cruzi (already available, PMID: 36532687) to identify drug and vaccine targets. It also includes target validation using cellular and biochemical approaches (e.g., surface plasma resonance, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, single-cell sequencing) and in vivo experiments to test drug or vaccine efficacy in mice. The project includes the support of a medicinal chemist and collaborators in Israel and Argentina. There will be potential opportunities to collaborate on other projects in the lab (see lab webpage). The candidate should know molecular and cellular biology or biochemistry. Skills in bioinformatics are desirable.
Qualifications:
Ph.D. degree with laboratory experience in molecular and cellular biology (or related disciplines); knowledge or interest in bioinformatics (Linux/R); good communication skills; highly motivated.

Must meet Postdoc Eligibility Requirements: https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdocs/fellows/registration/eligibility

Responsibilities:

To perform and design experiments within the project framework, represent the laboratory in national/international conferences, support mentoring less experienced trainees/staff, and engage in laboratory activities and organization.

Timeline: Start immediately (but negotiable)—contract will be for 1 year, but subject to renewal for up to four years.

Salary: Minimum - 34,611.00 (negotiable based on experience)

Summary: Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 8 million people, mainly in South and Central America, but it has spread to several European countries, Japan, Australia, the United States, and Canada. CD became a global health threat with an economic burden of 7.19 billion USD/year resulting from reduced productivity, high mortality, and increased care costs associated with Chagas cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CD acute stage initiates with flu-like symptoms and can develop into a chronic stage often manifested by gastrointestinal and cardiac diseases. Benznidazole and nifurtimox are the current lines of treatment; however, they fail to treat the chronic stage and are toxic, and vaccines are unavailable. We have developed a genome-wide library of T. cruzi for yeast surface display (YSD). We will use the YSD library to screen peptidomimetic drug-like molecules to identify their targets. We will perform structure-activity relationship analysis with drug-like molecules and targets for compound optimization and test in mutant parasites that overexpress or lack the target protein. Small molecules will be validated in an animal model of cardiovascular CD disease. There will be opportunities to travel to collaborating countries. Vaccine project information is provided under request.

Funding: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)/Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

References: Cestari et al., 2016, Cell Chem Biol; Sternlieb et al., 2022, Bio-Protocol; Altamura et al., 2022, Drug Dev Res.

Applications should include: a curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests (one-page max addressed to Prof. Igor Cestari), and contact information for three references
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Application Deadline:

January 31, 2023 (11:59 p.m.)

Note: This posting will expire at 00:00 a.m. on February 1, 2023. You have until 11:59p.m. on January 31, 2023 to submit your application.

Annual Salary:

(AMURE Post-Doctoral Fellow Researcher) $34,611.00

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

Parasitology Bldg.

Supervisor:

Assistant Professor

Position Start Date:

2023-01-05

Position End Date:

2024-02-28

Deadline to Apply:

2023-01-31

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .