Master’s and PhD Positions Available to Study the Evolution of Legionella pneumophila in Water Systems.

Master’s and PhD positions are available at McGill University, Macdonald Campus. The project is funded by the NSERC.

Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is an aquatic bacterium that thrives in natural and artificial water systems, such as cooling towers and water distribution networks. Lp can be aerosolized by such systems and transmitted to humans. After inhalation, the bacterium reaches the lungs and causes a pneumonia called Legionnaire’s disease. In water systems, Lp is found associated with biofilms and grows inside phagocytic protozoans, such as amoeba and ciliates. Strains of Lp differ in their host range and their ability to survive stresses, including heat shock and disinfectant. The goal of this project is to identify horizontal gene transfer event between Lp and the resident microbiota of a model water system. The students will perform controlled experimental evolution assays and use high-throughput screening procedures and deep sequencing.

Information:

[email protected]

www.faucherlab.com

Interested applicants should hold a BSc degree in microbiology or related field. Experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics is considered an asset. Start date: fall 2019 or winter 2020.

Please send a detailed CV, unofficial university transcripts, and contact information of 2 references to:

Sebastien P. Faucher: [email protected]