Gametocytes of P. falciparum go through several forms of development in different sites of the human body. The earliest forms of gametocytes develop in tissues of the bone marrow, and emerge into circulation when they are mature and are ready to be transmitted to mosquitoes. We have limited understanding of how gametocytes arrive in the human bone marrow, which specific parts of bone marrow tissues they are in, what processes maintain them, and how they are released back into circulation. We are using molecular, immunohistochemical and single cell transcriptomics to perform in-depth investigations in human bone marrow obtained from living individuals in a high malaria transmission area.
This exciting project includes laboratory and field studies based primarily in UHAS, Ho, Ghana, but with the opportunity for experimental work in collaborators' laboratories at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Legon, Accra, Ghana (Prof. Gordon A. Awandare), the Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome, Italy (Dr. Pietro Alano), and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umea, Sweden (Prof. Oliver Billker).
Prospective candidates must:
- Have a master's or PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Parasitology, and a record of high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals. Experience with confocal microscopy would be desirable.
- Be African and a highly motivated individual interested in pursuing novel malaria research.
- Have intentions of pursuing a long-term career in malaria research in Africa.
- Be a person of integrity, have an eye for detail and possess a valid driving license
Successful candidates will be expected to:
- Conduct high-quality research leading to publications in high-impact journals.
- Contribute to research capacity-building including training of research degree students.
- Contribute to grant writing to seek for funding to pursue new research projects.
The successful candidate will be supported with funding from the Royal Society, UK/African Academy of Sciences for 21 months in the first instance with a possibility of an extension based on performance. Funds will cover:
- A competitive salary
- Research supplies and reagents
- Conference grant
- Other research related costs such as visit to a collaborator's laboratory
Please find further details in the full advertisement here
Application forms are available here and interested applicants should send their completed application documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. UHAS believes in diversity and inclusion for bottom- line performance and encourages applications from female researchers. For informal inquiries please contact Dr. Bismarck Dinko at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. o. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Post expected start date: can be negotiated. Deadline for applications: February 15, 2021.
