PhD Student – Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine

Last application date Jun 16, 2023 00:00

Department DI05 – Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine

Contract Limited duration

Degree higher education diploma in science (Master degree in e.g. Biotechnology, Bio-engineering, Biomedicine, Biology)

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

We are hiring one enthusiastic, driven, early career scientist whom we can offer a four year scholarship for conducting top notch PhD research at Wildlife Health Ghent (WHG) in the framework of an ERC Advanced Grant “GLOSSI, Targeting skin glycosylation patterns to protect threatened salamanders from disease driven extinction”, awarded to An Martel. We are looking for a molecular biologist who will focus on molecular aspects of the host-pathogen interaction of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) (including cell cultures, transcriptomics and CRISPR based technologies). The ultimate goal of this PhD research is to provide a proof of concept that modification of urodele epidermal cells renders them resistant to infection by Bsal.
Background: WHG studies different aspects of disease ecology and epidemiology of infections with the chytrid fungi Bsal in European salamanders and newts. We address several key features of the disease, including host susceptibility, transmission pathways and reservoirs in order to develop efficient mitigation measures. Novel insights will serve to inform policy makers in how to tackle this disease, which poses a threat to most European species of salamanders and newts.

Job profile

We are looking for a molecular biologist who will focus on molecular aspects of the host-pathogen interaction of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) (including cell cultures, transcriptomics and CRISPR based technologies). The ultimate goal of this PhD research is to provide a proof of concept that modification of urodele epidermal cells renders them resistant to infection by Bsal.

How to apply

We welcome applications until 10/6/2023. Applications must include a cv and a motivation letter and preferably a letter of support, sent to an.martel@ugent.be and frank.pasmans@ugent.be