Post-Doc for Cell Biology of Malaria Parasite

About Our Research: Malaria is a huge global health problem. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites, with one species, P. falciparum, responsible for most of the deaths. There are no effective vaccines, and the parasite has gained resistance to all drugs. Our lab studies the cell biology and genetics of P. falciparum to identify new drug targets and understand the molecular mechanisms of this important pathogen.

The impact of our research group stems from our ability to apply molecular-genetic and biochemical techniques for the study of unique parasitic phenomena. These include CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, various conditional knockdown systems, marker-less genetic modifications, transgenic expression systems and other novel technologies. With these advanced tools in hand, we ask questions that address fascinating biological problems in original ways.

Job Description: A funded position is intended to decipher the molecular rules governing organelle biogenesis in malaria parasites. The job will include using advanced imaging techniques while developing new microscopy protocols. Using molecular tools for genetic engineering of malaria parasites. Parasites culturing and molecular laboratory techniques are an integral part of the daily routine. Writing grant and fellowship proposals. And working collaboratively in a dynamic research team. The duration of the position is two years. 

About the Supervisor: Dr. Anat Florentin completed her PhD at the Weizmann Institute and then moved to the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases for a postdoctoral training in the area of molecular parasitology. She opened her lab at The Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University in August 2020, where she studies together with her team the cell and organelle biology of malaria parasites. 

Funding: 8-10K shekels per month. 

Your Profile: You possess prior experience in molecular and culturing work, demonstrating a strong foundation in laboratory techniques. Your exceptional organizational skills and collaborative nature enable seamless teamwork. Motivated by curiosity and driven by self-initiative, you consistently strive for excellence in scientific exploration and discovery. Mature PhD candidates with previous research experience will also be considered. 

About Our Department: The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics harbors a large group of microbiologists blended with genetic and computational biologists. Research in the department spans the fields of virology, bacteriology, parasitology, microbiome, along with molecular and computational microbial and human genetics. The department is situated in the beautiful Botnar Building at Ein-Kerem campus, maintaining close ties with clinicians at the Hadassah Hospital. This environment fuels interactions between the research teams on campus, leading to synergistic and fruitful collaborations. The department promotes research and social activities among its members and holds a biannual retreat.    

About Our Campus: Opened in 1961 in Jerusalem, the extensive campus of Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem features over 28 buildings. Hadassah University Medical Center is Israel's only academic medical institution that combines teaching and training on a single campus. Together with the Hebrew University, Hadassah offers outstanding education and clinical experience through its schools of medicine, nursing, dental medicine, public health, and occupational therapy. The campus enjoys a synergistic relationship in many aspects of medical research, including the Hadassah Medical Center-Hebrew University Biotechnology Park.

Embracing Diversity: At Hebrew University we believe that diversity inspires creativity, fosters curiosity, and enriches our ecosystem through academic collaboration and cultural exchange. We consider every member of our community an integral part, irrespective of their religion, gender, or ethnic origin.

HUJI is home to nearly 25,000 students across our 6 campuses, including ~2,500 per year representing 90+ countries. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to engage with your peers here on equal ground, in an environment that promotes equity and inclusion, and celebrates the contribution of its talented members.

Application: We welcome your application, complete with all required documents compiled into a single PDF: 

• Letter of motivation
• CV (including a list of publications)
• Brief statement of research interests (max. 1500 characters)
• Copy of your original academic degree(s)

About Hebrew University: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is one of the world's leading research institutions, consistently ranked as a global top-100 university. Established by luminaries such as Albert Einstein, we’re at the forefront of groundbreaking research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across various domains, including brain sciences, medicine, biomedicine, life sciences, mathematics, agriculture, and more. Our 6 campuses house 100+ research centers, with ~4,000 research projects underway year-round.

About Jerusalem: Hebrew University is an integral part of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and one of the most fascinating, diverse cities on earth. Thousands of students from across the globe live in Jerusalem, immersing themselves in its vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, while marvelling at the juxtaposition of its 3,000-year-old history and cutting-edge modernity. Students make the most of their spare time by enjoying Jerusalem’s myriad attractions, from restaurants, cafes, and pubs, to dance clubs, museums, theaters, and year-round festivals.