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From listmasteranimalgenome.org  Fri Jan 25 07:37:51 2019
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From: "Michal Vinkler" <michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz>
Postmaster: submission approved by list moderator
To: Members of AnGenMap <angenmapanimalgenome.org>
Subject: PostDoc position: avian evolutionary immunology at Charles
       University, Prague
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:37:51 -0600

PostDoc project: Diversified cytokine regulation of inflammation in
parrots and passerine birds

Available from April/May 2019 to June 2020 (the starting date is
flexible; the contract can be prolonged)

Application deadline: 17th February 2019

Cytokines are protein signalling molecules that evolve to precisely
regulate immunological processes in vertebrates. Several cytokines
modulate inflammation, a well-known ‘double edged sword’ of immunity
that can clear a pathogen infection as well as kill the host. Being
soluble they have the capacity to systemically affect various tissues,
including other physiological systems involved in self-maintenance and
reproduction. In this project we are interested in describing the
effect of inflammation on brain function and cognition in two related
avian clades – the passerine birds and parrots.

The objective of this PostDoc project is to characterise tissue-
specific cytokine expression changes linked to local and/or systemic
inflammation in the selected taxa of birds. A biodiversity-based
approach will be adopted to reveal interspecific and intraspecific
variation in the selected cytokine genes. The main model species of the
research will be the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), the zebra
finch (Taeniopygia guttata), the great tit (Parus major) and the house
finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). Additional species will be included for
interspecific comparison. Methods such as tissue-specific RNA-seq, RT-
qPCR and proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid through gel-free
quantitative LC-MS/MS will be used (includes wet lab). Focusing on
birds that represent superior models for research in cognition to
rodents (passerines and parrots), this PostDoc project opens new
possibilities for interdisciplinary research of neuroimmunology as well
as to understanding the evolutionary processes forming immune defence
in vertebrates.

Requirements: We seek for a researcher with experience in molecular
genetics, evolutionary genetics, immunology and/or zoology - PhD degree
in one of these or related fields and good English language skills (at
least basic).

Offers: We offer a Research Fellow position at the Department of
Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University based in Prague, Czech
Republic, EU. This is a full time, ~year contract starting from April-
May 2019 (flexible), ending on 31.6. 2020 (flexible, can be extended
based on mutual agreement). Salary: 26,000-34,000 CZK per month*#
(320,000 CZK-400,000 ~ €12,500 – 16,000 per annum; * standard local
salary, fully sufficient to cover living costs in Prague; # the final
salary will be adjusted at specific check points based on research
productivity). The research fellow will be part of a young and
enthusiastic interdisciplinary and international team
(http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...eei/people) and where
she/he will be supervised by Dr. Michal Vinkler
(http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...e/#post-73).
We expect at least two articles being published in international peer-
review journals in the period of two years from the beginning of the
fellowship. Active participation at international scientific
conferences will be encouraged and supported. The research fellow will
also contribute to the supervision of students as needed.

Application: Please send (1) CV including a list of publications, (2)
copy of PhD diploma, (3) motivation letter, and (3) contact details for
2–3 referees (references) to Dr. Michal Vinkler
(michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz) by 17th February 2019.

About: Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the
oldest universities in the world. Yet it is also renowned as a modern,
dynamic, cosmopolitan and prestigious institution of higher education.
It is the largest and most renowned Czech university, and it is also
the best-rated Czech university according to international rankings.
There are 17 faculties at the University, plus 3 institutes and 6 other
centres. The Faculty of Science was established in 1920 as the fifth
faculty of Charles University. It currently has 29 departments, 3
museums and a Botanical Garden. The Laboratory for Evolutionary and
Ecological Immunology (team leader Dr. Michal Vinkler) at the
Department of Zoology is oriented at research in animal defence against
infectious diseases, animal immunology, immunogenetics (e.g., innate
immunity receptors, antimicrobial peptides, to lesser extent acquired
immunity molecules such as MHC) and investigation of functionally
relevant variability in the ecological context. Our strength is in
application of the evolutionary medicine theory and methodological
approaches of evolutionary biology (including tests of natural
selection acting on individual genetic variants involving predictions
of protein functional changes in response to pathogen-mediated
selective pressures). We use non-model avian species and traditional
poultry breeds for our investigation. This project is a collaborative
project with Laboratory of Sensory and Evolutionary Neurobiology (team
leader Dr. Pavel Němec) that performs research in the fields of
comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy and neurobiology. The research
facility is located at the very centre of Prague being ideally situated
for interaction with several other internationally recognised
institutions.

Links: For further information see the EEI group web page
(http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...gie/biodiversity/eei), the web of the
Faculty of Science, Charles University (https://www.natur.cuni.cz/eng?
set_language=en) or contact Dr. Michal Vinkler at
michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz.

We are looking forward to receiving your application until 17th
February 2019.

Kind regards,
Michal Vinkler

--
RNDr. Michal Vinkler, PhD
______________________________________________________
Laboratory for Evolutionary and Ecological Immunology
Division of Animal Evolutionary Biology
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science
Charles University
Vinicna 7, CZ 128 44 Praha 2
Czech Republic, EU
e-mail: michal.vinklernatur.cuni.cz
tel: +420221951845
fax: +420221951841
http://web.natur.cuni.cz/...ie/biodiversity/eei/


 
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