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The Department of Production Animal Health in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Vaccinology and Single Cell Transcriptomics.
Area: Vaccinology and Single Cell Transcriptomics
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Fall 2021
Salary: $50,000 $CAD per year plus Plan C health benefits
Project Title:
Single cell transcriptomics of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infections and vaccinations in macrophage, mouse and calf models
Job Description:
Johne’s disease (JD) is a chronic intestinal infectious disease causing huge economic impact on the dairy industry. Although efforts have been made to manage this disease, there are still limited tools to control it efficiently. Current control measures are held up by low sensitivity and low specificity of available diagnostic tests and failure of existing vaccines to prevent infection. Available vaccines do not provide enough protection to the host, nor do they prevent the spread of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne’s disease. Although genetic manipulation of MAP has proven to be difficult, we have developed live attenuated vaccine strains by knocking out essential genes. Essential genes for MAP growth and replication in the natural host’s body were previously identified in our lab by Tn-seq. Two top essential genes which play a role in MAP energy metabolism and metal uptake in host cell were chosen for further studies. Site directed mutagenesis was used to knock-out these genes which normally help MAP to persist in host body. These two single mutant strains were tested in a calf infection model to measure MAP colonization in infected tissue, quantity of MAP in feces, PBMCs gene expression, peripheral immune cell types and bacterial viability assay.
It is known that MAP subverts the host immune system by using macrophages as its primary reservoir. But the mechanisms how MAP vaccines provide protection against natural infections are not yet fully understood. We aim to use a new emerging technology, single cell transcriptomics, to study the effect of infection with WT and vaccine strains on downstream transcriptomics of genes related to specific biological processes including inflammatory processes, tolerance, putative epigenetic modifiers, and lipid homeostasis.
Our vaccine and WT strains will be further tested in bovine macrophage, mouse infection model, and calf infection models. We are interested in intestinal tissue and lymph nodes single cell transcriptomics to help us characterize the genes involved in JD pathogenesis and protection pathways cells isolated from the site of infection.
Qualifications:
-A PhD in veterinary immunology
-A publication record demonstrating excellence
-At least one publication related to transcriptomic analysis of immune responses, preferably by Single Cell RNA sequencing
-Demonstrable expertise in next gen sequencing library preparation
-Demonstrable expertise in RNA-seq data analysis and enrichment pathway analysis
-Demonstrable expertise in working with different animal model
-Exemplary critical thinking skills and a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot independently
-Communication: Fluency in English, both written and oral. Experience presenting to an academic audience is required
-Time-management: The applicant must have excellent time management skills and be able to work in a self-directed manner within an interdisciplinary environment
-Supervision: Previous experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is an asset
* Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.
Application details:
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- Cover letter describing research background and interests
- CV with complete list of publications
- Names and contact details of three professional references
Please send your questions or application to jdebuck@ucalgary.ca.
About UCVM
UCVM is a dynamic veterinary faculty in Western Canada that is committed to strengthen the connections between animal health, public health, and the environment. UCVM faculty works across disciplines and Departments, fostering collaborative research, teaching and service. Descriptions of the Faculty and its departments can be found on the UCVM website (www.vet.ucalgary.ca).
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
Additional information
The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.
The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada
