Senior Research Associate - Gut-brain axis in ectotherm thermotolerance

The Benedetto lab is looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join a wider collaborative project, studying how the gut-brain axis mediates gut bacterium effects on host thermotolerance in ectotherms. The position is funded by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for 40 months. The Benedetto lab is part of the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster University, UK, where we apply integrated physiology approaches to understand how animal health is achieved through the interplay of organ systems and the gut microbiota, using C. elegans as a reductive model.

The current project aims to identify conserved and metaorganism-specific gut-brain-axis (GBA) mechanisms of thermotolerance in worms, bees and fish. It combines field sampling across three countries (Iceland, France and the UK) with laboratory experiments, involving microbial culturomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, metabolic modelling, and advanced live microscopy approaches. The appointee will primarily work with C. elegans and occasionally with bees, collaborating with research associates and PhD students working on worm, bee and stickleback models in collaborating institutions in the UK, France, Germany, and the USA. The project is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary in nature, providing an excellent opportunity for an ambitious early-career scientist to establish a strong research network and carve a path to full independence.

You are required to hold a PhD in a relevant field with a publication track-record commensurate to your experience, have expertise in C. elegans or other transparent model nematode genetics and microbiology, be familiar with online databases and basic bioinformatics tools, have a keen interest in multiomics approaches and microscopy, be willing to travel abroad for sample collections (in France) and work at collaborating institutions (USA, Germany, UK) as required by the project, and be willing to undergo training and acquire any additional necessary skills. We are looking for a highly motivated, highly organised and collaborative individual with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience in worm gut microbiology, omics analyses, field collection and successfully managing collaborative projects will be advantageous.

Our lab and the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences provide a friendly research environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact Dr Alexandre Benedetto ([email protected]) with a CV for more information.

Closing Date: 17 Nov 2024

Department: Research

Salary: £39,105 to £45,163 Full time, indefinite with end date