Position Description
Area: Bacterial Genomics and Infection Transcriptomics
Duration: 2 Years
Start Date: Fall 2022
Salary: $45-55,000 $CAD per year plus Plan C health benefits
The Department of Production Animal Health in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Genomics and Bio-informatics.
Project Title:
Resolving bovine bacterial diseases with genomics and transcriptomics.
Job Description:
Our lab is specialized in bovine bacterial diseases. We are studying Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease), bovine mastitis, and digital dermatitis. We are looking for a creative, motivated postdoc to conduct independent research by employing RNA-seq, single cell transcriptomics, Tn-seq and bacterial comparative genomics. The postdoc will collaborate with other members of the lab and be part of a vibrant lab with access to all state-of-the-art equipment necessary for the project.
Johne’s disease is a chronic intestinal infectious disease causing huge economic impact on the dairy industry. Current control measures are held up by low sensitivity and low specificity of available diagnostic tests and failure of existing vaccines to prevent infection. Available vaccines do not provide enough protection to the host, nor do they prevent the spread of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent. It is known that MAP subverts the host immune system by using macrophages as its primary reservoir. But the mechanisms how MAP vaccines can provide protection against natural infections are not yet fully understood. We are using state-of-the-art methodologies, including RNA-seq transcriptomics, to study the effect of infection with WT and vaccine strains on gene expression related to inflammatory processes and tolerance. We are also interested Single Cell Transcriptomics applied to cells isolated from intestinal tissue to help us characterize the genes involved in JD pathogenesis and protection pathways.
Digital dermatitis (DD), the leading cause of infectious lameness in dairy cattle. The painful and ulcerative lesions that characterize DD compromise animal welfare and lead to significant economic losses. Multiple species of Treponema, a pathogenic anaerobic bacterium, and other anaerobe are consistently found in DD lesions and rarely isolated from healthy hooves. We believe that synergistic interactions among bacterial species contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of the disease. We will use comparative genomics on whole genome sequences of strains isolated from these lesions to discover virulence genes and mechanisms.
Bovine mastitis is the most impactful disease on dairy farms, caused by intramammary infections with bacterial pathogens. We are using microbiome analysis, bacterial genomics and Tn-seq approaches to better understand the pathogenicity of bovine mastitis pathogens and the potential role of commensals.
Qualifications:
- A PhD in genomics or bio-informatics and undergraduate degree in biology or animal sciences or equivalent
- A publication record demonstrating excellence
- Demonstrable expertise in RNA-seq data analysis and enrichment pathway analysis
- At least one publication related to transcriptomic analysis, preferably by RNA-seq
- Demonstrable expertise in next gen sequencing library preparation
- Exemplary critical thinking skills and a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot independently
- Communication: Fluency in English, both written and oral. Experience presenting to an academic audience is required
- Time-management: The applicant must have excellent time management skills and be able to work in a self-directed manner within an interdisciplinary environment
- Supervision: Previous experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is an asset
Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.
Application details:
List the contact information and method of the application (i.e. mail, email); include the deadline for submitting applications. Include any relevant websites.
All applications must include in an email to jdebuck@ucalgary.ca :
- single-page cover letter
- a curriculum vitae
- academic transcripts
- statement of research interest and career goals
- a list of three references contacts
Review of applications will begin immediately. We thank all applicants’ interests, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted for more information and invited to interview. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
https://vet.ucalgary.ca/labs/veterinary-bacteriology/
About UCVM
UCVM is a dynamic veterinary faculty in Western Canada that is committed to strengthen the connections between animal health, public health, and the environment. UCVM faculty works across disciplines and Departments, fostering collaborative research, teaching and service. Descriptions of the Faculty and its departments can be found on the UCVM website (www.vet.ucalgary.ca).
Review of the applicants will begin immediately. We thank all applicants’ interests, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted for more information and invited to interview. Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.
Additional Information
To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Postdoc Careers website. For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Careers in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
To succeed as one of Canada’s top universities, where new ideas are created, tested and applied through first-class teaching and research, the University of Calgary needs more of the best minds in our classrooms and labs. We’re increasing our scholarly capacity by investing in people who want to change the world, bringing the best and brightest to Calgary to form a global intellectual hub and achieve advances that matter to everyone. For more information visit research.ucalgary.ca/postdocs.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here.