Studying the control of gene expression in Leishmania: cis and trans acting elements

Leishmania is an ancestral eukaryote and a human parasite of medical relevance. As a model organism it exhibits several odd molecular processes. Our objectives are to decipher molecular mechanisms to stand different modes of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in Leishmania. The post-doctoral research project aims to identify and study the repertoire of non coding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in the control of gene expression and that may be critical for the parasite adaptation to the hosts. The work will include highthroughput RNA sequencing and analysis, identification of trans-regulators, networking of proteins and RNAs and functional studies by reverse genetics.
Requirements: Applicants must have a PhD in Parasitology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology or related fields. Preference will be given to individuals with a proven experience on molecular parasitology. Expertise in molecular biology is required, and experience with protozoan parasites, genomics and related computational skills, is strongly encouraged. Candidates should be creative, personally motivated, have excellent oral and written communication skills and a sense of teamwork. It is also highly desirable that applicants are fluent in English and if not fluent in Portuguese must be willing to learn it in a short period of time (to acquire minimal needs/communication skills). The selected candidate will receive a FAPESP Post-Doctoral fellowship already available (full comprehensible details may be found at www.fapesp.br/en/5427)