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 candidates will be invited to participate in the ISGlobal Mentoring Program and in the activities of the ISGlobal Postdoctoral community, which include an annual symposium.

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. Another important process regulated at the transcriptional level is the heat-shock response, which enables parasite survival during malaria febrile episodes.

We have postdoctoral positions available to work in a project investigating novel aspects of the regulation of sexual conversion and the heat-shock response 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. On the day to day, the main experimental techniques used for this project will include culture and manipulation of P. falciparum (including genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9), state-of-the-art transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses, and advanced phenotypic characterisation using functional assays, among many others. In addition, this project will involve establishing and optimising in our laboratory several new techniques, including CUT&TAG, Hi-C / UMI-4C, single-cell omics and proximity labelling, with support from our collaborators. 

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

• Skills for establishing and optimising new molecular techniques
• Ability to work both autonomously and in close collaboration with other members of a team 
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation; passion for science!
• Previous research expertise in malaria and/or in regulation of gene expression/chromatin biology is desirable but not essential
• Bioinformatics skills are desirable but not essential

• Experiments with P. falciparum cultures (including advanced phenotypic characterisation of sexual conversion, heat-shock resistance and drug survival)
• 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)
• Contribute to optimisation of new techniques in the team, including new omic approaches (CUT&TAG, Hi-C/UMI-4C, single-cell omics, proximity labelling)
• Data analysis and preparation of manuscripts
• Present results in scientific conferences
• Contribute to scientific discussion and to training of new members of the team

• 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

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential.

• Duration: initially one year, extendable for up to two additional years.
• Starting date: anytime from October 2023
• Contract: Full time
• Salary Range: According to ISGlobal salary scales, will depend on the level of experience and qualifications

Applicants must fill in the request form and include the following code reference position: Postdoc_MalariaEpigenetics_Sep23, 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 the position is covered (in principle, before the end of the year).

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Alfred Cortés (alfred.cortes@isglobal.org).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The interviews could be placed during the reception candidatures period.
Diverse candidacies, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views, are encouraged to apply.  

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.