Three-year PhD position in Virology (funded by A*Midex)

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD/ R1: First stage Researcher                  
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Biology
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Virology

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION
In Mali, gold mining is a pillar of the economy and directly involves a population of 200,000 to 400,000 people. The mining areas are located in tropical forest sites and represent places of intense population mixing, with a high density of arthropod vectors, bats, and monkeys, as well as major environmental alterations (e.g., deforestation). These sites therefore meet all the criteria for major potential hotspots for the emergence and rapid spread of emerging pathogens, particularly zoonoses.

In collaboration with LBMA (Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Appliquée, Bamako, Mali), we are conducting the GOLD-EMERGE project which aims to establish surveillance of viral pathogens with epidemic potential, including Paramyxoviridae, Filoviridae, Coronaviridae, and arboviruses, using a comprehensive approach: 1] Study of viral causes of undifferentiated fevers,

2] Seroprevalence studies in the general population, 3] Investigation of viral pathogens in animal reservoirs and vector mosquitoes.

This PhD project will be carried out as part of the GOLD-EMERGE project, funded by A*midex, and will be linked to the work package on the epidemiological study of the causes of fever of unknown origin (undiagnosed fever) in mining clinics to identify the viral pathogens involved. The main objective of this PhD project is to identify viral pathogens causing undifferentiated fevers in the population working at four mining sites in Mali.

The main activities will include:

In Mali working with the LBMA:

• Recruitment of patients and collection of biological samples at the four mining sites in Mali.

• Real-time RT-PCR screening of all biological samples for a panel of viruses.

In Marseille at UVE:

• Metagenomic approaches for the detection of new viruses or known viruses not tested during molecular screening. Various metagenomic approaches will be used (random amplification, RNA-seq, pre-culture).

• Viral isolation in cell culture from samples found positive through molecular or metagenomic screening.

• Molecular characterization of isolated viruses through genomic sequencing using Ion Torrent or Illumina technologies.

TYPE OF CONTRACT:      TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME   
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20/05/2025 23:59 
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/07/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

WORK LOCATION(S): Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207), IHU, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille.

WHAT WE OFFER: 
Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal 

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

• Master of Science degree
• Field experience in Mali
• Strong skills in molecular biology techniques
• Strong interest in research on infectious diseases
• Practical laboratory experience

• Soft skills: Ability to communicate with the Malian population; Ability to independently solve problems related to laboratory work; Autonomy; Flexibility and adaptability

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS
Motivation letter, CV, Master of Science degree

HOW TO APPLY: [email protected]