Descripción

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

Lugar

Barcelona, Campus Clinic-CEK

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is seeking to hire a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral scientist interested on working in a research project investigating novel aspects of the regulation of gene expression in malaria parasites. More specifically, the selected candidate will study gene expression in the context of sexual conversion, which is essential for disease transmission.

The contract is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities within the project Este contrato está vinculado al proyecto PID2022-137863OB-I00 “Mecanismos de las respuestas transcripcionales a cambios en las condiciones del ambiente en el parásito de la malaria Plasmodium falciparum” financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER.

THE TEAM

The ISGlobal Malaria Epigenetics lab directed by ICREA Research Professor Alfred Cortés investigates the regulation of gene expression in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We use a combination of approaches that include genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9 technology, state-of-the-art phenotypic characterisation and multi-omic approaches. Our ultimate goal is to generate high-quality basic knowledge that is relevant for the fight against malaria.

Please visit our websites (https://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/alfred-cortes-closas-375; https://www.isglobal.org/equipo-formacion/-/profiles/2000; https://cortesmalarialab.wordpress.com/) for an overview of our recent contributions to understanding the biology of malaria parasites. These include the identification and characterisation of the master regulators of sexual conversion and of the heat-shock response.

We offer an inclusive, vibrant and intellectually-stimulating environment, with state-of-the-art facilities and a broad critical mass for malaria research. We support the professional growth of each and every member of our team through the many excellent training activities offered by ISGlobal, in-depth scientific discussions within the team and regular individual meetings with the group leader. We are seriously committed to promoting diversity and to favour work-family life balance. We love our social activities (including, among others, team building trips and ice-cream celebrations whenever we have something to celebrate). The selected candidate will be invited to participate in the ISGlobal Mentoring Program and in the activities of the ISGlobal Postdoctoral community, which include an annual symposium.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the most severe forms of human malaria. Transcriptional regulation plays a key role in malaria parasite biology, as it controls fundamental processes such as life cycle progression, antigenic variation and adaptation to the conditions of the environment. Some of these processes are regulated at the epigenetic level, with a key role for euchromatin-heterochromatin transitions. Of note, heterochromatin plays a prominent role in the regulation of the conversion of some asexual parasites into sexual forms that mediate transmission to mosquito vectors.

We have a postdoctoral position available to investigate the regulation of sexual conversion in malaria parasites. The selected candidates will work in close collaboration with other members of the team and also with external national and international collaborators, including a collaboration with ITM in Belgium to study sexual conversion in natural malaria infections (IMMETASEX project, led by Prof. A. Rosanas-Urgell).

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• A PhD in a discipline related with molecular and cellular biology

Specific Requirements:

• Expertise in malaria research (P. falciparum cultures and manipulation, including genetic manipulation using CRISPR-Cas9)
• Expertise in the analysis of transcriptional regulation and epigenetic processes (RT-qPCR, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, etc)

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

• The main tasks will be to design and perform experiments to study transcriptional regulation in the context of P. falciparum sexual conversion, to analyse and interpret the data and to write the resulting manuscripts, in collaboration with other members of the team.
• The successful candidate is also expected to contribute to the supervision of new members of the team and to participate in the scientific discussion of other projects.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Experiments with P. falciparum cultures (including advanced phenotypic characterisation of sexual conversion)
• Generation of transgenic parasite lines using CRISPR/Cas9 technology
• Molecular and cellular biology experiments (generation of plasmids, RT-qPCR, RNA-seq, ChIP-qPCR, ChIP-seq, IFA, etc)
• Data analysis and preparation of manuscripts
• Present results in scientific conferences
• Contribute to scientific discussion and to training of new members of the team

SKILLS

• Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Excellent organisation and coordination skills
• Demonstrated track record of achievements

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential
  

CONDITIONS

• Duration: 20 months
• Starting date: January 2025
• Contract: Full time
• Salary Range: According to ISGlobal salary scales, will depend on the level of experience and qualifications
  

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and include the following code reference position: MalariaEpi_postdoc_Nov24, attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 4th of December 2024.

Applications will be accepted until 17.00 CET of the closing date.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, sex, marital status, race, ethnicity, disabilities, political leanings, religion or sexual orientation.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be pass. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
ISGlobal supports the initiative #ScienceforUkraine. Therefore, to sustain Ukraine’s presence in the European Research Area and international scholarly community, candidates from Ukraine on all levels of scholarly career are welcome: students, PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior scholars.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.