POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS in Bacterial Pathogenesis, Genomics, Microbiome & dual RNA-seq

Positions are available to study the molecular pathogenesis of Chlamydia trachomatis and other species of the family Chlamydiaceae in the laboratory of Professor Deborah Dean.

The Lab is focused on the evolution and pathogenesis of C. trachomatis and other Chlamydiaceae spp. using state of the art techniques in comparative and functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, bacterial genetics, molecular and cell biology, real time confocal microscopy, dual RNA-seq and nanotechnology to advance our knowledge in the field.  In addition, the Lab is designing C. trachomatis vaccine candidates as well as rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for C. trachomatis sexually transmitted and ocular infections. 

Projects on the pathogenesis of Chlamydia include:  development of a system for genetic analysis of Chlamydia spp.; evaluation of multiple genomes of Chlamydia spp. to decipher virulence determinants, evolution and recombination mechanisms; the interaction of these genomic types with host microbiota; and use of primary genital tract cells and vaginal/endocervical microbiota to advance knowledge of host innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions that allow or thwart chlamydial growth and development.

Opportunities are available for working with and mentoring undergraduate students from the University of California at Berkeley who rotate through the lab and often complete a senior research thesis over the course of one to three years in the Lab, including full time research in the summer.  Candidates with a strong interest in teamwork and linking basic research with clinical relevance are encouraged to apply.

The applicant should possess a Ph.D. or M.D. or both and experience in molecular and cell biology, bacterial genetics, microbiota and genomics including some microbiota/metagenomic analysis techniques. Training will also be provided in these areas. The appointment is renewable annually based on performance.  Salary will be based on the NIH pay scale for postdoctoral fellows and includes full health, dental and vision coverage.

Prof. Dean’s Chlamydia Research Laboratory is part of the Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development (CIVD) at UCSF Benioff’s CHORI. Dr. Dean has a number of collaborations with investigators at the Imperial College, London; University of Amsterdam; Emory University; Georgia Institute of Technology; CDC; UC Berkeley; Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; National Institute of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam; the Ministry of Health, Fiji; and biotech companies and start-ups in the Bay Area that will advance novel discoveries to improve health care.