Postdoctoral fellow position available under SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts
Job description
A postdoctoral position is available in the Pathogenic Yeast Research Group at the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa. This position will fall under the auspices of the NRF SARChI Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeast, held by Prof Carolina Pohl. The fellowship is open to all South African and foreign nationals, who graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years. Applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship.
Desired skills and experience
Candidates with PhDs in Microbiology or related fields are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be required to conduct innovative research on the pathogenic yeasts, Candida auris and Candida albicans.
Current research projects in the group centre around resistance mechanisms, discovery of novel drug and drug targets (including lipid metabolism) and polymicrobial biofilm interactions between the yeasts and the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Tasks
- Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research
- Do innovative research on pathogenic yeasts around themes of virulence, drug resistance and microbial interactions;
- Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET–accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books;
- Assist in postgraduate supervision;
About the employer
The UFS (www.ufs.ac.za) is one of the oldest universities in South Africa with 28 000 students on its main campus in Bloemfontein. It encourages student exchange with universities world-wide and has an office for international affairs (http://supportservices.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?DCode=460) that assists foreign students. Bloemfontein is a medium sized South African city (population 650 000) centrally located in the middle of South Africa with easy access to different parts of South Africa and southern Africa. The city offers a safe and vibrant student community surrounded by a wide range of attractions, including nature reserves, parks and wild-life sanctuaries and also has a Planetarium and Observatory for stargazing.
How do you want candidates to apply?
To apply, please email the following documentation by 30 April 2021 to Prof CH Pohl: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Motivation letter, including a 1-2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience;
- Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output;
- Full transcripts of academic record and copy of doctoral degree certificate;
- Copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants);
- Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate
- As the free standing NRF postdoctoral applications for 2022 are currently open, candidates wishing to apply for this are also urged to contact Prof Pohl in order to discuss their applications. Please note that the internal deadline for such applications to the NRF is 23 April 2021.
Enquiries
Prof CH Pohl: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
