PhD Position in Cell Signaling

Parazitologický ústav

Molekulární parazitologie

Laboratoř funkční biologie protist

Pracovní smlouva

Are you fascinated about the determinants that influence cellular differentiation? We are looking for a PhD candidate to help unravel the mitochondrial signaling pathways that contribute to these cellular decisions. Join ERC funded PhD project on mitochondrial signaling and cellular differentiation.

Background of your project:

The metabolites synthesized within mitochondria during energy production can function as intracellular signaling molecules that communicate the bioenergetic and biosynthetic fitness of the organelle to the nucleus. This information relay mechanism plays a powerful role in determining cellular fate. The Laboratory of Functional Biology of Protists utilizes the unicellular parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense, as simplified but elegant model organisms. These protists offer exciting new possibilities to address significant knowledge gaps concerning the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial signaling because their single mitochondrion undergoes drastic structural and metabolic rewiring during programmed development between several distinct life cycle forms. Recent discoveries in the lab have determined that elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in the mitochondria are key signaling molecules required for cellular differentiation (Dolezelova et al., 2020, PLoS Biol, PMID: 32520929; also reviewed in PMID: 35325490). For more information on our research, please visit: https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/sections/molecular-parasitology/laboratory-of-functional-biology-of-protists/

About your role:

You will be a key contributor to a small research team within the lab that integrates nextgeneration biosensors, advanced bioenergetic methods, redox proteomics and a CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screen within the Trypanosoma model organisms. These data sets will help resolve the following fundamental questions: Does mitochondrial ROS drive Trypanosoma cellular differentiation? What molecular processes are responsible for the elevated mitochondrial ROS levels during differentiation? How is the redox signal propagated to the rest of the cell? Specifically, you will contribute to the design and execution of your experiments, data analysis and manuscript preparation. Furthermore, you will have ample opportunities to present your findings at the annual PhD retreat, the institutional seminar series and international meetings.

About you:

• You have recently completed a Master’s degree in biological sciences.
• You are an enthusiastic scientist with a curious mind, strong observational skills and keen analytical reasoning. Previous experience with parasites or mitochondrial research is a plus.
• You are organized, accurate and responsible. Importantly, you possess excellent communication skills that contribute to a pleasant working atmosphere. You enjoy working collaboratively as part of a dynamic team on well-defined research projects. When necessary, your scientific passion enables you to work independently and demonstrate initiative by implementing new methodologies.

Our offer:

• A four year governmental stipend supplemented by lab funding to ensure personal financial stability.
• While the offical PhD program will begin in September 2023, we have the financial resources to begin your employment at an earlier date if you are available.
• A general understanding for a healthy work/life balance, Ceske Budejovice offers many cultural and recreational opportunities and is in close proximity to both Czech national parks and the Alps.

Employment benefits:

• 5 weeks of paid holiday per year in total for 1 FTE
• Subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Standard health insurance and social security
• Benefits from Social fund and student benefits
• Working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance
• Welcome service and further support for foreigners (HR Award)
• Friendly & stimulating international working environment
• Work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for outdoor, sport & cultural activities
• Free language classes (Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs)
• Opportunity to take part in mentoring programmes as a mentor or a mentee
• Concessionary mobile tariff and banking services at the contractual operator and bank
• Access to accommodation in dormitories at the campus shared by the Biology Centre and the University of South Bohemia (for PhD students)

About your workplace:

You will be enrolled in the PhD program of Integrative Biology under the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic (https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en/admissions/degree-programmes/study-programme?programme=3140).
Your scientific research will be performed at the Institute of Parasitology (IoP) (https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/), which is located on the same academic campus as the university. IoP is composed of 17 research groups and is the principal institution in the Czech Republic devoted exclusively to basic and applied research on human and animal parasites at the organismal, cellular and molecular levels. You will be an integral member of the vibrant and international research group lead by Dr. Alena Zikova, who was recently awarded the prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant. You will have excellent opportunities to advance your scientific career in a nuturing and stimulating research lab that has built an extensive network of national and international collaborators across Europe and the US. The lab is located in a newly remodeled open space research center that houses two other labs focused on various aspects of trypansoma research. The scientific expertise and technical facilities of these joint Trypanosoma research groups are highly complementary, constituting a collaborative and friendly environment for cuttingedge research. Outstanding facilities are available for cellular physiology, advanced imaging and each of the major -omics fields.

České Budějovice (2 hours south of the capital Prague) is a middle-sized city with ca. 100K inhabitants, relaxed atmosphere, over 750 years of tradition and a breathtaking countryside around. Both the town and the surrounding countryside provide numerous opportunities for research and leisure activities. There is also a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS (BC CAS, https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/) and the University of South Bohemia (USB, https://www.jcu.cz/en/). In addition to these positives, the living costs are still low by international standards. Check out our Guide for Expats (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/) to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic.

About the selection process:

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Excellence in Research Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating, and fair. For more information about the researchers' recruitment policy at our institution, see OTM-R (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/). We also provide our employees from abroad with welcome service (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support).

At the deadline, we will select 3-5 of the best candidates and contact them via email to schedule an interview online.

Application deadline is Friday, February 24, 2023. Please submit your CV along with a motivational letter explaining your research passions and why you are uniquely qualified to join our research group. Contact: bpanicucci@paru.cas.cz.
You are invited to submit the names and contact information of two references.