Postdoctoral Researcher: TB Genomics

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in the TB Genomics Group in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at Stellenbosch University. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic, multidisciplinary group of researchers who are part of the SAMRC Centre for TB Research. The position is based at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa with a goal start of in January 2024. ​

This Postdoctoral Fellow Award is funded by the NIH research project entitled “An RNA nanosensor for the diagnosis of antibiotic resistance in M. tuberculosis". This is a collaborative study with Prof Maha Farhat (Harvard Medical School), Prof Karen Jacobson (Boston Medical Centre) and Tara Carney (South African Medical Research Council). The post-doctoral fellow will work on the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA signatures in response to antibiotic treatment. These signatures will be used to inform the development of diagnostics to rapidly determine whether clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are susceptible to a particular anti-TB drug. 

The post-doctoral fellow will lead the laboratory components of the proposed study that will include drug exposure and transcriptomic analysis including RNA extraction, rRNA depletion, cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR, Illumina library preparation, and high throughput sequencing. They will be responsible for developing SOPs and will work closely with the research assistant and laboratory technician on lab-based activities. The post-doctorate fellow will be trained by Dr. Martin Voskuil (University of Colorado School of Medicine) and Dr. Amy Barzcak (Harvard Division of Medical Sciences) on Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptomics.

Postdoctoral Position Requirements

• PhD in relevant field (molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics) obtained in the past 5 years
• Demonstrated the ability to publish
• Good communication skills, collaborative and multidisciplinary interest.
• Team player
• Experience in molecular techniques
• Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience in the field of Tuberculosis (working under BSL-3 conditions), or in working with M. tuberculosis
• Experience in next generation sequencing methods and subsequent bioinformatics analyses (RNA- seq preferential), and 
• Experience in molecular biology methods (Experience with RNA manipulation preferential)

Fellowship criteria: 

The fellowship is available for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal, dependent on satisfactory progress. The fellowship is tax-free.

How to apply: 

Please send a covering letter with CV, indicating your research outputs and the names and up-to-date contact details of three referees to Prof Robin Mark Warren rw1@sun.ac.za by 30^th November 2023. 

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Postdoctoral Researcher: Host Pathogen Mycobactomics

Project Title: Exploiting in vivo models to assess novel treatment and prevention approaches for Tuberculosis

Host: Prof. Samantha Sampson in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University: www.sun.ac.za/hostpathogenmycobactomics

Scope of Research: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health threat. Although relatively effective drug regimens are available, treatment failure remains a major roadblock to TB control. This is in part due to a high incidence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains, as well as the phenomenon of bacterial persistence. New and improved treatment and prevention approaches are needed to tackle the TB problem. The successful candidate would contribute to projects aimed at: (1) Assessing the potential of bacteriomimetic, immunotherapeutic nanoparticles as a novel host-directed approach to TB treatment, and (2) Developing and testing novel mRNA-based vaccine candidates. Contributions to other ongoing projects would be strongly encouraged. This work is dependent on the use of in vivo infection models, and the successful candidate would be expected to have experience in rodent models. Results will advance the development of novel vaccines and nanoparticle-based, hostdirected therapies for TB.

This work is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through an R01, and through the National Research Foundation, SARChI award, both held by Prof. Sampson.​

Summary of Fellowship: The fellow will work alongside a strong team consisting of three senior researchers, one to two postdoctoral fellows, two PhD and two MSc students. This group is supported by two research assistants and two program coordinators. The fellowship holder will be expected to design, execute, analyse, present the results of their research and deliver a high standard of technical expertise. He/she will have the opportunity to supervise postgraduate students and contribute to the day-to-day co-ordination, running and maintenance of the laboratory.

Please note that for administrative purposes, post-doctoral fellows are registered as research students and are therefore not eligible for employee benefits.​

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide up-to-date technical expertise, advice, and support to a very high standard in microbiological and molecular techniques, with a particular focus on molecular mycobacteriological applications.
  
• Assist with the purchase of laboratory equipment and supplies specific to the project.
  
• Record and maintain data and information, as relevant and appropriate.
  
• Contribute to the presentation of results to the group, collaborators, and to the research community in general.
  
• Contribute to the preparation of grant reports and scientific publications.
  
• Compliance with University policies, including financial regulations, equal opportunities, promoting race equality policy, health and safety policy, information systems security policy and intellectual property rights.
  
• Any other duties which may arise commensurate with the fellowship as directed by the supervisor or Head of Department.
  

Personal Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:​

• PhD in molecular mycobacteriology or equivalent (within the last 2 years)
  
• Previous experience in a research laboratory environment
  
• Familiarity with general laboratory practice, techniques and instrumentation
  
• Experience of general microbiological techniques
  
• Experience of rodent models
  
• Experience of macrophage infection models
  
• Experience of flow cytometry
  
• Experience of histopathology
  
• Experience in biosafety level 2 and biosafety level 3 working practices
  
• Proven ability to publish
  
• Proven ability to secure funding​
  

Desirable:

• Experience with student supervision
  
• Experience in mammalian RNA extraction
  
• Knowledge of RNAseq analysis pipeline
  

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent laboratory skills
  
• Ability to work well independently, and as part of a team.
  
• Ability to assist with writing of reports and preparation of results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  
• Good organisational skills
  
• A meticulous approach and attention to detail
  
• Good communication and inter-personal skills
  
• Ability to work with others across disciplinary boundaries.
  
• Proven ability to prioritise, plan ahead and manage a high volume of work to meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed, and ensure that the laboratory runs in an efficient and timely manner.
  
• Ability and willingness to adapt to changing timetables or work patterns as dictated by changing circumstances.
  

Other Requirements​

• An open, flexible, and positive approach to working in a constantly changing environment.
  
• The fellowship holder should be prepared to work unsociable hours as work demands from time to time.
  
• Note that postdoctoral researchers are not appointed as employees and therefore do not receive employee benefits.
  

Commencement of duties: As soon as possible

Closing date: 22 January 2024

Enquiries: Send a letter of application, accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae, including list of publications and the names and contact details of at least two referees, to Prof Samantha Sampson at ssampson@sun.ac.za and Dr. Liezel Smith at liezels@sun.ac.za.​

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