Postdoctoral Fellowship in Insect Molecular Physiology

Postdoc position opened at the Insect Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP), São Paulo, Brazil. We are seeking scientists for a research project that will investigate the role of membrane transporters in the intestinal physiology of the insect species Tenebrio molitor, Rhodnius prolixus and Dysdercus peruvianus.

Our group has been studying the intestinal physiology of different insect species mainly through the characterization of digestive enzymes, midgut buffering and enzyme secretion mechanisms. In the last years a new focus was the molecular characterization of the digestive phenomena through the study of membrane transporters by bioinformatics, transcriptomics, proteomics and in vivo experiences. The final aim is to propose molecular physiological models for insect midgut phenomena.

The research is part of a Thematic Project funded by FAPESP, the São Paulo Research Foundation (grant number 2017 / 08103-4).

This research program requires expertise in:

1. Cell fractionation techniques for isolation of insect midgut microvillar, perimicrovillar and basolateral membranes;
2. Transcriptomic, proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of membrane transporters with specific focus in insects;
3. Insect manipulation and dissection for in vivo tests of models of midgut ion, and nutrient transporters.

The candidate must confirm its experience with publications as first author in international journals, regarding the expertise required.

This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationalities. The selected candidate will receive a FAPESP's Post-Doctoral fellowship in the amount of R$ 7,373.10 (about US$ 2,000/month) monthly and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 15% of the annual value of the fellowship which should be spent in items directly related to the research activity.

More information about the fellowship is at: fapesp.br/oportunidades/3136 .

Eligible destination country/ies for fellows: Brazil

Eligibility of fellows: country/ies of residence: All

Eligibility of fellows: nationality/ies: All