The Institut Pasteur is looking for a Postdoc to work on  “Innate immunity to meningococcal infections“.

Topic. Infectious diseases leading to colonization of the blood by the infectious agent are a major burden to society and lead to a wide array of devastating clinical manifestations including septic shock, hemorrhagic syndromes and infection of the brain (meningitis). The main goal of the proposed project is to decipher the pathophysiological processes underlying these infections focusing on the innate immune response to intravascular colonization by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. A xenograft-based humanized mouse model of infection by this bacterium will enable in vivocharacterization of the innate immune response (Bonazzi et al. and Melican et al.).The experimental approach will be based in particular on dedicated in-house spinning disk confocal microscopy-based intravital imaging allowing fast, high resolution multicolor imaging.

Bonazzi D, Lo Schiavo V, Machata S, Djafer-Cherif I, Nivoit P, Manriquez V, Tanimoto H, Husson J, Henry N, Chaté H, Voituriez R, Duménil G (2018) Intermittent pili-mediated forces fluidize Neisseria meningitidis aggregates promoting vascular colonization. Cell, In Press.

Melican K, Michea Veloso P, Martin T, Bruneval P, Dumenil G (2013) Adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis to dermal vessels leads to local vascular damage and purpura in a humanized mouse model. PLoS Pathog 9: e1003139.

Context. This research will take place in a young and dynamic group with a strong background in microbiology, cell biology, immunology, animal models of infection and intravital imaging (https://research.pasteur.fr/fr/team/pathogenesis-of-vascular-infections/). Core facilities of the Institut Pasteur campus are also available in support for the project.

Skills. We are looking for a highly motivated young investigator trained in the field of immunology and preferably with experience in animal experimentation, surgery, intravital imaging , histology and cytometry with the will to decipher pathophysiological mechanisms of infectious diseases. This full-time position is for 2-3 years (subject to satisfactory review at 12 month).

Contact. Applications should be directed to Dr Guillaume Dumenil at guillaume.dumenil@pasteur.fr. To apply please submit by email a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and names for two references.