Project: Many pathogens have the capacity to invade human cells and to exploit the interior of their host cell as a growth niche. While human cells have powerful defense programs that can restrict the growth of such invaders, successful pathogens evolved to counteract these defenses. In the Sixt Lab, we believe that a profound understanding of the molecular basis of this arms race could pave the way for innovative therapeutics. Specifically, we strive to explore cell-autonomous immunity and evasion mechanisms during infection with the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis.

We are currently seeking two postdocs or one postdoc and a PhD student to complement our team.

• Project 1 (postdoc): apply high-throughput genetic screening (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 screening, siRNA screening, bacterial mutant library screening) to identify key players in cell-autonomous immunity and immune evasion during infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Project 2 (postdoc or PhD student): apply a combined molecular-genetic and microscopic (e.g. live cell imaging, confocal fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy) approach to determine the role of the Chlamydia-containing vacuole in counteracting cell-autonomous immunity.

Environment: The Sixt Lab is part of the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) at Umeå University (located in Umeå, Sweden). MIMS is a part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine and of the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), providing a stimulating, collaborative, and highly international environment with excellent access to modern research facilities and training opportunities. The city Umeå itself combines a rich cultural life with exceptional closeness to nature and is particularly welcoming to internationals.

Qualifications: Required qualifications are specific to the position and project. Further details can be found at our lab website

Project duration: PhD: 4 years, Postdoc: 2 years (with possibility for further prolongation depending on satisfactory performance)

Starting date: preferentially mid-2021 (can be negotiated)

Application: Interested candidates are welcome to send an application to barbara.sixt@umu.se. Applications should include (as a single PDF file in English): 1) a letter of motivation describing the applicant’s specific motivation and relevant qualifications, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a publication list (if applicable) and 4) names and e-mail addresses of two or more references, with stated professional relationship to the applicant. Applications are possible from now until a suitable candidate is found.