Postdoc in ”The role of exported proteins in malaria infection”

Umeå universitet is one of Sweden's largest educational institutions with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a variety of high-quality programs and world-leading research across several scientific fields, and it was here that the groundbreaking discovery of the gene scissors CRISPR-Cas9, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made. At Umeå universitet, everything is close. Our cohesive campus makes it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, which fosters a dynamic and open culture.

The Department of Molecular Biology is seeking a postdoc for a fixed-term position of two years, equivalent to full-time, with a start date of November 1, 2026, or as agreed.

Project description and tasks

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites that invade and multiply inside red blood cells. The disease arises because the red blood cells are destroyed and infected cells adhere to the microvasculature inside the body's organs, a process called organ sequestration. To establish a replicative niche, take up nutrients, excrete waste products, and adhere to the microvasculature, the parasite exports hundreds of proteins into the infected host cell. Genetic screens have mapped which of these exported parasite proteins are important for infection during the blood stage. However, for the majority of the exported proteins, it is still unknown which cellular processes they actually participate in.

This project will utilize Plasmodium berghei, a malaria model parasite that infects rodents and whose genome can be efficiently manipulated, to systematically investigate the role of exported parasite proteins in malaria infection and disease.

You will develop and apply scalable genetic tools as well as new analytical methods to identify the parasite genes that code for exported proteins of importance for the parasite's invasion of host cells, multiplication, and organ sequestration. The most interesting candidate genes will be further studied through in-depth studies in both P. berghei and the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Furthermore, you will perform experimental and bioinformatic work, design experiments, present your results, write manuscripts, assist in the supervision of students, and actively contribute to a collegial and inclusive lab culture.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment as a postdoc, you must have completed a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree, in biological science. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than when the employment decision is made.

You must be highly motivated and able to work productively both in a team and independently. Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with colleagues and other staff are required. Good knowledge of written and spoken English is also a requirement. Great importance will be placed on personal suitability.

The applicant should have experience in molecular cloning methods, such as the design and construction of gene vectors, and practical experience with CRISPR/Cas9. Experience in the culture and transfection of eukaryotic parasites, as well as experience and training in laboratory animal science (rodents), is required.

Merit

Since employment as a postdoc constitutes a qualifying position for junior researchers, we primarily target those who have obtained a doctoral degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If there are special reasons, those who obtained their doctoral degree earlier may be considered. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, positions of trust within trade unions, or other similar circumstances, or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Experience in advanced confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, and FACS is highly desirable.

As a member of our team, you will contribute to promoting an inclusive culture and a positive working environment. This means that you communicate effectively across differences, show a willingness to cooperate, and the ability to collaborate. You maintain openness and a welcoming attitude and show respect, compassion, and empathy. You engage with and support colleagues from different backgrounds and with different perspectives, and you promote a healthy balance between work and private life for both yourself and others.

More about the employment

The employment is a fixed-term position at full-time for two years according to the terms in the agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoc.

You will be based in Ellen Bushell's laboratory at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå universitet. The Bushell lab is part of The Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), which constitutes the Swedish node within the Nordic European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Partnership for Molecular Medicine.

More information about the group's research can be found on our website: Ellen Bushell.

For more information about the Department of Molecular Biology and MIMS, please visit our websites: Department of Molecular Biology and MIMS.

Application

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than September 30, 2026.

A complete application must include:

A short description of research interests and a motivation as to why you are interested in the position. CV List of publications Degree certificates from doctoral education as well as other relevant degrees Contact details for two contacted references

Welcome with your application!

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