Vacature Postdoctoral Researcher

At the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), we work on solutions for serious diseases, with the goal of a longer and healthier life for everyone. Do you enjoy working on diseases that pose a threat to the entire global population? And would you like to contribute to solutions applicable to humans through sound biomedical research? Then Help unravel one of malaria’s greatest mysteries

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Imaging of Malaria Hypnozoites

Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) is looking for an ambitious and highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the ERC-Synergy-funded project Host4Hypnozoites, focused on the development of advanced imaging technologies to study dormant malaria parasites in vivo.

This project combines:

- molecular imaging

- PET-CT

- parasitology

- tracer development

- image-guided biopsies

- spatial biology

- translational infectious disease research

The post-doc will play a central role in developing and applying innovative imaging approaches to visualize, quantify and isolate liver-stage malaria parasites (hypnozoites) in vivo for the first time.

Background

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax remains a major global health burden. A key challenge in eliminating this parasite is the presence of dormant liver-stage parasites—hypnozoites—that can reactivate weeks to months after infection and cause relapse infections. Despite their importance, hypnozoites remain poorly understood because they are rare, inaccessible and difficult to study in vivo.

Within the ERC project Host4Hypnozoites, in collaboration with two other Dutch research institutes, we aim to overcome these limitations by developing highly sensitive imaging strategies in a non-human primate model for vivax malaria to:

- detect hypnozoites in vivo

- monitor parasite reactivation

- characterize the in vivo hypnozoite and the surrounding host tissue environment

This work has the potential to fundamentally change our understanding of malaria persistence and relapse biology and identify new targets for intervention.

What will you do?

As postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for the development, optimization and application of novel imaging workflows for liver-stage malaria research.

Your work will include:

·  validation of newly developed PET radiotracers using in vitro uptake and binding assays;

·  development and optimization of PET-CT imaging protocols;

·  execution and analysis of proof-of-principle in vivo imaging studies;

·  development of imaging strategies for image-guided liver biopsies;

·  integration of imaging with downstream tissue analyses such as FACS and spatial transcriptomics.

The project combines both technological innovation and biological discovery and offers substantial scientific freedom and publication opportunities.

What you will bring

We are looking for a candidate with:

- a PhD in biomedical sciences, molecular imaging, parasitology, infectious diseases, radiochemistry, veterinary medicine, or a related field;

- experience with PET imaging, tracer development and/or infectious disease research;

- strong analytical and organizational skills;

- affinity with translational and multidisciplinary research;

- excellent communication skills in English.

Experience with one or more of the following is considered an advantage:

- preclinical imaging,

- PET-CT analysis,

- image-guided interventions,

- ultrasound,

- radiochemistry,

- malaria biology,

- spatial transcriptomics,

- flow cytometry/FACS.

What we offer

BPRC offers a unique and internationally recognized translational research environment with state-of-the-art imaging facilities and extensive expertise in infectious diseases and non-human primate research.

We offer:

- a highly innovative ERC-funded research project;

- access to advanced PET-CT and imaging infrastructure;

- a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment;

- opportunities for international collaborations and conference presentations;

- strong publication potential across multiple project components;

- salary and employment conditions in accordance with BPRC regulations.

Interested?

For more information about the position or the project, please contact Marieke Stammes, PhD ([email protected]) or apply directly to [email protected]

Applications should include:

- motivation letter,

- CV,

- publication list,

- and contact details of references.