Postdoctoral Positions, Charles University, Czech Republic (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. 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.

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 31.5. 2020 (flexible, can be extended based on mutual agreement)

Desired skills and experience
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).

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Postdoctoral Positions, Charles University, Czech Republic (2019)