PhD position
between France and Czech Republic
Position summary:
A join PhD position between France and Czech Republic is available for a highly motivated and independent master student from a Czech University. This is an opportunity to develop a join PhD project between Prof. Daniel Ruzek (Czech supervisor, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel_Ruzek) and Dr. Sara Moutailler (French supervisor, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sara_Moutailler). The candidate must have a master degree in life sciences.
PhD project
Most arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are RNA viruses, which are maintained in nature by replication cycles that alternate between arthropod and vertebrate hosts. Arboviruses appear to experience lower rates of evolution than RNA viruses that replicate only in a single host. This genetic stability is assumed to result from a fitness trade-off imposed by host alternation, which constrains arbovirus genome evolution. To test this hypothesis for tick-borne viruses, we will use 6 different viruses (from different viral families) that will be (1) maintain continuously in tick cell lines or mammalian cell lines and alternatively between tick and mammalian cell lines, (2) maintain continuously in ticks (Ixodes ricinus by artificial infection) and mice or alternatively between ticks and mice, (3) sequenced using high throughput sequencing (whole genome sequencing). Then genetic variability of those viral populations obtained in these different conditions will be assessed to identify viral compulsory genes implicated in tick and/or mammalian transmission. These data might give the opportunity to discover new antiviral strategies in tick vector and mammalian host, and will help to better predict arbovirus emergence and crossing species barriers.
Duration of contract and salary:
Detailed information related to this scholarship can be found (See link to document in Czech language).
How to apply:
If you are interested, please, contact immediately (before 10th March) Prof. Daniel Ruzek (ruzekd@paru.cas.cz) and/or Dr. Sara Moutailler (sara.moutailler@anses.fr).
