PhD Candidate in Systems Level Exploration of Malaria Parasite Dormancy

Are you a team-oriented PhD candidate with an interest in molecular biology, infection biology and single-cell genomics? Would you like to learn and work in a multidisciplinary team on a highly collaborative project? Join the lively and world-class RIMLS-Science Institute and work towards understanding the mechanisms of parasite dormancy.

We are looking for a PhD candidate to join our team to study how malaria parasites can stay dormant in the liver and to eventually provide knowledge for the development of novel antimalarial intervention strategies. This is a collaborative ERC-funded project between Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in Rijswijk and the Amsterdam University Medical Center (AmsterdamUMC). State-of-the-art single-cell genomics and proteomics techniques in combination with genetic engineering of the parasite will be used to dissect the molecular mechanism enabling dormancy or reactivation. Our team members generally perform both experimental and computational work as part of their training. As a member of the RIMLS-Science Institute and the Department of Molecular Biology, you will participate in our four-year PhD programme at Radboud University. As part of your PhD training, you will also take part in our biology educational programme, including assisting in our courses and supervising BSc and MSc students within the context of your project. Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

When writing your cover letter, please incorporate the following points, including specific examples where possible.

• You have a Master's degree in molecular or cellular biology, biomedical sciences, molecular life sciences, or a related field.
• You have experience in one or several of the following areas: microbiology/parasitology, single-cell genomic or proteomic techniques, next-generation sequencing.
• You have experience or affinity with computational analysis of genomics data.
• You are highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
• You possess strong analytical skills and you have a problem-solving, result-oriented attitude.
• You are a highly communicative and team science-minded professional.
• You have a good command of the English language (both verbal and written).

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,770 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,539 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

This project will mainly be executed at the Department of Molecular Biology of Radboud University including frequent visits at the other two institutes (BPRC, AmsterdamUMC). Research in our team (headed by Dr Richard Bartfai) aims at understanding how molecular mechanisms that enable adaptation and support pathogenesis of malaria parasites. Our team has a strong background in the development and integration of innovative (single-cell) multi-omics technologies and we apply those to understand the biology of these deadly pathogens.

The department of Molecular Biology is part of the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS-Science), a leading interfaculty research institute of the faculties of Science and Medicine (Radboud university medical center). The overarching aim of RIMLS-Science is to decipher molecular mechanisms of disease. RIMLS-Science’s research areas include epigenetics, stem-cell and developmental biology, and computational biology. The central research theme is regulation of gene expression during development and in health and disease. Important tools used by the institute include next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, single-cell and spatial multi-omics) analysis and computational analysis as well as method development. To perform state-of-the-art research, RIMLS-Science operates its own wet-lab, omics and computational facilities. This fundamental and applied research in medical biology and molecular life sciences has clear links to more clinically oriented research programmes at departments within the Radboud university medical center. RIMLS-Science actively contributes to teaching activities in the Biology study programme at Radboud University. RIMLS-Science currently has about 50 researchers (including 30 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers) and provides a vibrant international working environment.


Radboud University
We are keen to meet critical thinkers who want to look closer at what really matters. People who, from their expertise, wish to contribute to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This ambition unites more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University and requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!