The Institute of Hygiene, Section Microbial Genome Plasticity at the University of Muenster, Germany has an opening limited to 3 years for a

Doctoral Position (gn*)
to study the effects of medicinal plant extracts on bacterium-host interaction in uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Reference Number 06438
Part-Time with 65%
Scholarship with a monthly remuneration of 1.600 €

(*gn = gender neutral)

Our group focuses on the characterization of virulence- and fitness traits of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). We employ functional genomics-based approaches to study pathogen-host interaction.

A variety of plants is successfully used in traditional medicine to treat urinary tract infection. The relevant therapeutically active compounds and their mechanisms of action have often not been analyzed in great detail. In close cooperation with the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry of the University of Münster, the successful applicant will study the impact of such plant extracts and different fractions thereof on UPEC and host cell gene expression. Additionally, the effect of medicinal plant extracts on pathogen-host interaction and on chromatin dynamics involved in reprogramming host innate immunity will be investigated.

The major emphasis will be on (i) the analysis of bacterial and host cell gene expression in response to medicinal plant extracts in vitro and during urinary tract infection, (ii) profiling of DNA methylation, histone acetylation and microRNA expression to study the role of chromatin dynamics in influencing host innate immunity, and (iii) phenotypic analyses in response to medicinal plant extracts.

The applicant should have a strong background in microbiology, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical chemistry. In addition, knowledge in experimental urinary tract infection models, bioinformatics, epigenetics and interest in bacterial pathogenesis is beneficial.

Please direct any questions to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Dobrindt, T +49 251 83 35406, dobrindt@uni-muenster.de

Website: https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/hygiene/forschung/forschungsgebiete-und-arbeitsgruppen/mikrobielle-genomplastizitaet.html

Please send applications including a short letter of motivation, a brief statement of research experience, CV and publication list, copies of relevant documents and contact information of academic references as a single PDF-file with the reference number until 15.10.2021 via email to bewerbung@ukmuenster.de.

Applications of women are specifically invited. In the case of similar qualifications, competence, and specific achievements, women will be considered on preferential terms within the framework of the legal possibilities. Handicapped candidates with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.

The University Hospital of Münster is one of the leading hospitals in Germany. Such a position cannot be achieved by size and medical successes alone. The individual commitment counts above all. We need your commitment so that even with little things we can achieve great things for our patients. There are many possibilities open for you so that you may develop with them.