PRR Project

Summary

Job Description: We are seeking a motivated and talented Assistant Researcher in Molecular Microbiology and Genomics, with focus on the study of Human Urinary Microbiome (HUM) to join our team at UCIBIO/i4HB. The role will envolve the cutting-edge molecular techniques to characterize the urinary microbiota diversity that may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for managing UTI and other urinary disorders. Responsibilities include exploring the HUM by using cutting-edge methods and tools to identify and characterize the community of microorganisms from the human urinary tract, study their genetic capital, and explore their functional capabilities. In more detail:Isolating and cultivating bacterial strains from human urine samplesPerforming microbial identification and characterization using MALDI-TOF MS, and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene or other biomarkers, and bioinformatics.Analyzing and interpreting human urinary metagenomic and other omics data.Elucidating urinary microbiome community dynamics and interactions.Stay up-to-date on bacterial taxonomy.Supporting development of microbiome-based biomarkers and therapeutics.Promote the intersection between human microbiome bioresources, culture collections, and industry.Supervise undergraduate and graduate students at master´s and PhD levels, along with young researchers and postdoctoral trainees, in human microbiome research projects.Contribute to the academic community through dissemination and publication of research findings in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences.Explore opportunities for securing external funding from national and international agencies and through collaborative projects with academic, clinical & industrial partners.Actively participate in the development and implementation of outreach and communication activities.Participate in lecturing activities for relevant courses in the field of Microbiology.Participate in other activities of interest to the mission of the University of Porto, namely technology transfer, outsourcing or academic management. Scientific profileCandidates are required to have: a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field, obtained more than 5 (five) years ago, with relevant research experience in human urinary microbiome characterization at strain level supported in classical microbiology and molecular biology methods, including the analysis of both gene and whole genome levels and high-throughput techniques. The candidate should additionally demonstrate expertise in bacterial taxonomy and systematics, experience in providing mentoring to young researchers and ability to work effectively in a team environment. Finally, candidates should have personal skills that show independence, communication ability, creativity and passion for this emerging scientific area. Rationale:The human urinary microbiome is an emerging field of research with significant implications for understanding urinary tract health and disease, Recent studies using high-throughput molecular techniques have revealed microbial communities inhabiting the bladder and urinary tract, overturning the long-held assumption of urine sterility.Hiring an assistant researcher with the expertise to further extend the knowledge on bacterial diversity and functionality of HUM, is pivotal for several compelling reasons:Advancing scientific understanding. The HUM is relatively understudied compared to other microbiomes (e.g. gut microbiome), and recent research underscore its significance in maintaining urinary tract health and its potential implications for several illnesses such as urinary disorders or infections. Advancing the knowledge of the HUM’s composition, diversity, and functional role in both health and disease requires an assistant researcher equipped with specialized expertise in conducting innovative studies with state-of-the-art techniques to comprehensively describe microbial dynamics and uncover potential correlations with urinary disorders/infection.Clinical and public health implication. Imbalances/dysbiosis in the HUM are linked to urinary tract infections and other urological conditions. By characterizing the HUM, the hired assistant researcher can identify microbial signatures associated with different clinical outcomes, paving the way for the development of diagnostic tools, therapies, and preventive interventions to improve urinary tract health and patient outcomes.Technological advancements. Recent progress in high-throughput sequencing technologies, bioinformatics tools, and multi-omics approaches have expanded our ability to characterize microbial communities. An assistant researcher proficient in these techniques is suited with capabilities to generate and interpret complex datasets and provide an integrative approach of omics data, thus leveraging innovation and competitiveness in the HUM field.