We are seeking two highly motivated post-doctoral Research Associates to work in the Section of Microbiology, which is part of the Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection (CMBI) at Imperial College London. The positions are funded through the Wellcome Trust and are initially for two years with the possibility of extension to up to five years.

The research project will focus on the Gram-positive bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and the work will be conducted in the state-of-the-art laboratory of Professor Angelika Gründling. The research programme will focus on understanding cellular processes that are controlled by the essential signalling nucleotide c-di-AMP in S. aureus with the long-term goal to use this knowledge to develop new methods to prevent the growth, colonization and infection with this organism. c-di-AMP is a more discovered signalling nucleotide required for the growth of S. aureus under standard growth conditions and plays an important role in osmotic regulation and cell wall homeostasis. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains producing reduced levels of c-di-AMP become again sensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics. The reason for this is currently not known and one project will focus on deciphering the molecular bases for this. Recent work from the lab has shown that while c-di-AMP is essential for growth under aerobic growth conditions, it becomes dispensable under anaerobic conditions. The second project will focus on investigating metabolic changes that occur when S. aureus growths aerobically versus anaerobically as well as provide a better understanding of essential genes under aerobic versus anaerobic growth conditions. The latter will be done using, amongst others, the Tn-seq methodology.

The candidate

• will have a PhD or equivalent in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a related field.
• will also have extensive knowledge in the genetic manipulation of bacteria and pervious experience working with Gram-postive bacteria is desirable.
• will also have experience within an academic research environment and a proven track record with publication in relevant and peer reviewed high-quality journals.

The post is full-time, fixed-term for two years.

Should you have any queries in regard to the recruitment process, please contact:
Moe John at m.john@imperial.ac.uk