EUVIRNA is a European Marie Curie Initial Training Network on (+)RNA Virus Replication and Antiviral Drug Development.

EUVIRNA is a European Marie Curie Initial Training Network on (+)RNA Virus Replication and Antiviral Drug Development.

EUVIRNA seeks an Early Stage Researcher for the project ‘Identification of inhibitors of protein-protein interactions essential for enterovirus replication’. The successful candidate is planned to obtain a PhD with this project.

Full description of the project, eligibility criteria and application procedure can be found at http://www.euvirna.eu.

Please note:
ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS ACCORDING TO THE APPLICATIONS PROCEDUREARE CONSIDERED.

Project Description

Tibotec-Virco is exploring novel ways to agonize and antagonize the innate immune system with small molecules and biological that impact on the replication of (+)RNA viruses. As an example, RIG-I and MDA5 are cytosolic RNA sensors that upon recognizing viral RNA initiate a signaling pathway leading to IFN production. Viruses have evolved mechanisms to counter this pathway and our interest is to understand how to modulate this pathway or the interaction itself to facilitate viral clearance. We will develop RIG-I/MDA5 expression and IFN reporter systems (GFP or luciferase) to identify small molecules that modulate the RIG-I/MDA5 pathway or that block the antagonistic activity of the viral IFN suppressors. In addition, we will use siRNA libraries to identify new nodes in the innate immune response that may influence viral replication and perhaps identify new points for pharmacological modulation.

Requirements

The candidate should possess a PhD degree in pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, medicine, biomedical engineering or related discipline. Good knowledge and experience of assay development and molecular biology is an asset. The ideal candidate would have a prior experience in infectious diseases, especially related to RNA viruses.
Proactive participation and contribution to the scientific community will be expected through presentations and critical thinking at internal and consortium oriented scientific forums, requiring excellent English presentation and writing skills. The successful candidate will actively contribute to publications, presentations at external meetings and patent applications. In addition, strong communication skills and the capability to work will in a team are important.