Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Virology (Maluquer Lab) (021020)

A Post-doctoral Research Fellow position is offered to study interactions between poxviruses and the host immune system in the group of Dr Carlos Maluquer de Motes. Poxviruses are large dsDNA viruses replicating in the cell cytoplasm and coding for a large number of proteins devoted to create an environment conducive for viral replication and transmission, including the subversion of the host immune response. We are interested in studying how these viruses suppress and contend with these immune responses as a model to uncover novel functions and mechanisms in cell biology and immunology. As examples, our work has revealed the ability of poxviruses to suppress STING activation (Georgana et al., 2018, J Virol 92, 29491158) or a novel family of viral Ankyrin proteins that manipulate the host E3 ubiquitin ligase Cullin-2 (Odon et al., 2018, J Virol, PMID 30258003). We have recently discovered a novel viral strategy to suppress inflammatory signalling that involves manipulation of organelle biogenesis and epigenetics. This is therefore a multi-angle project that will involve, but is not limited to, the generation and use of recombinant viruses, protein-protein interactions, microscopy, proteomics, signal transduction, epigenetics, and in vivo work. The project is funded by a British Research Council BBSRC grant for 3 years.

We are seeking an innovative and highly-motivated scientist with a true passion for research with a PhD in virology, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related field. Candidates must be organised, self-sufficient and pro-active with excellent inter-personal skills. Previous experience with poxvirology and molecular biology is desirable. Knowledge of inflammatory signalling and viral immune evasion strategies is also desirable.

The proposed work will be carried out in the Department of Microbial Sciences at the School of Biosciences and Medicine. The School offers an international collegiate mass of researchers dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of human health, including specific sections for virology, immunology, microbiology and systems biology. Our centrally-supported facilities include state-of-the-art high containment laboratories (at both BSL-2 and BSL-3), imaging, genomics, and bioinformatics. The Virology Section is an expanding unit with 5 independent PI with complementary interests in multiple aspects of virus biology including entry and morphogenesis; transcription and translation; transmission; and immune evasion.

Informal enquiries to know more about the science behind the project and the research environment and conditions of the post should be directed to Dr Carlos Maluquer de Motes via: c.maluquerdemotes@surrey.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 14 May 2020
Category: Research & Teaching