University of Salzburg is seeking a highly motivated and talented scientist in the field of cellular microbiology. Helicobacter pylori is a class-I carcinogen, which has been strongly associated with the induction and progression of inflammation-driven gastric cancer. The interaction of H. pylori with cells of the epithelium and immune system involves different classes of bacterial factors which directly alter the gastric epithelium in a multistep process. The contribution of bacterial proteases to virulence has received only little attention so far. However, where bacterial-derived proteases are required for virulence, they represent attractive pharmacological targets to combat pathogenesis. Accumulating data demonstrate that additional active extracellular H. pylori proteases exist and directly influence the pathogen-host interaction. In this project, we aim to identify pathogenesis-relevant factors which could serve as attractive drug targets in novel intervention strategies in H. pylori-dependent pathogenesis.

The Postdoc will

1. define the effects of H. pylori proteases on the epithelial barrier function by generation of genomic deletion mutants
2. profile the activity and the biological substrates of the H. pylori proteases
3. develop novel protease assay systems and design substrate-derived peptide and small molecule inhibitors

Candidates:

• should have a strong background in protease biochemistry and/or infection biology
• are expected to be independent, scientific-orientated and self-motivated
• must have received their Ph.D. within the last five years with a proven publication record with at least one first author paper
• have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• are competitive at international level
• collaborate with internal and external collaborators and support other group members
• employ cutting-edge technologies and standard molecular biology tools in combination with infection biology and protease function in pathogen-host interaction

We hold a state-of-the art laboratory at the Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg in Austria, a beautiful place at the northern boundary of the Alps. The Department of Biosciences provides broad possibilities for interaction and support. Our group is member of the international “PhD program ICA” (University of Salzburg/FWF), Cancer Cluster Salzburg (www.cancercluster-salzburg.at), and member of the priority program “Allergy-Cancer-BioNano Research Centre” (University of Salzburg).

Please send your CV, publication list and letter of interest to Silja Wessler (silja.wessler@sbg.ac.at). The duration of the position is three years with the possibility of extension.