Position: One PhD position is available in an NSERC-funded research
lab at the University of Saskatchewan to investigate the ecological
factors that maintain the strain diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi,
the tick-borne pathogen that causes Lyme disease (LD). We will use
experimental infections with a lab LD system (mice, ticks) to determine
how interactions between different B. burgdorferi strains inside the
vertebrate host and the tick vector influence the transmission and
fitness of this multi-strain tick-borne pathogen.
Location: The University of Saskatchewan is one of the 15 top research
universities in Canada. The WCVM is the premiere veterinary school in
Western Canada and has state-of-the-art facilities. The faculty in the
Department of Veterinary Microbiology are biologists and veterinarians
who study pathogens and parasites across a wide range of biological
disciplines (molecular biology, physiology, and ecology). The Voordouw
Tick & Lyme Lab has research funding from NSERC and the SHRF.
Job requirements: The position requires an independent, highly
motivated, enthusiastic, and scientifically curious individual with a
strong background in any of the following fields: infectious diseases,
microbiology, immunology, ecology, or evolutionary biology. Molecular
techniques (qPCR, ELISA, Western Blots), experience working with rodents,
statistical data analysis skills and writing skills are useful. The
applicant must have a Master¢s degree. Successful students are expected
to be competitive and apply for a diversity of internal scholarships.
Start date: The position is available as early as May 2020. The salary
is set by the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and the University
of Saskatchewan College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Application requirements: Please submit: (1) a 1-2-page cover letter
indicating your research interests and why you are interested in the
position, (2) your CV (including a list of publications), (3) University
transcripts, and (4) two letters of reference. Submit your complete
application package via email to: maarten.voordouw@usask.ca. The
application deadline is 31 December 2019 (or until the position is
filled).
Professor Maarten J. Voordouw
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Email = maarten.voordouw@usask.ca
Work phone = 306 966-7245
Website: https://researchers.usask.ca/m
