Postdoc in Malaria Parasite Biology (Exported Proteins) at Umeå University
Job Description
Ellen Bushell’s lab in Umeå University’s Department of Molecular Biology is hiring a postdoc to study the proteins malaria parasites export into red blood cells. Plasmodium parasites export hundreds of proteins to build their niche, take up nutrients and stick to blood vessels, but what most of them do is unknown. The project uses the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei to test systematically which exported proteins matter for invasion, growth and organ sequestration, then follows up the best candidates in P. berghei and the human parasite P. falciparum.
At a glance
- Position: Postdoctoral researcher (1 post), two years, full time
- Where: Department of Molecular Biology and MIMS, Umeå
- Start: 1 November 2026 or as agreed
- Contact: Ellen Bushell, ellen.bushell@umu.se
- Reference: AN 2026/1045
- Apply by: 30 September 2026
- Apply: 30 September 2026
About the malaria postdoc
- Design and apply scalable genetic tools and new assays to find exported proteins important for invasion, proliferation and sequestration
- Follow up top candidate genes in depth in P. berghei and P. falciparum
- Carry out experimental and bioinformatic work and design experiments
- Present findings, write papers and help supervise students
The Bushell lab is part of the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), the Swedish node of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine.
What Umeå University is looking for
- A doctorate in biological sciences, by the appointment decision
- Molecular cloning, including gene-targeting vector design and CRISPR/Cas9
- Culturing and transfecting eukaryotic parasites
- Experience and training in laboratory animal science (rodents)
- Excellent communication and English
Nice to have
- A doctorate within three years of the deadline (longer in special circumstances)
- Confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence and FACS
Pay and location
Umeå’s advert lists a monthly salary without an amount. The post is a full-time, two-year fixed-term postdoc starting on 1 November 2026 or as agreed.
How to apply
Apply through the official Umeå University page. The closing date is 30 September 2026.
See all our life sciences jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Umeå University
Official advertisement: umu.varbi.com
How to prepare for this application
- Parasite genetics: describe any Plasmodium or Toxoplasma transfection and gene-targeting you have done.
- Animal work: list your laboratory animal science training; it is required.
- Screens: experience with pooled or barcoded genetic screens fits the project well.
- Complete application: include research interests, CV, publications, degree certificates and two references.
- Deadline: applications close on 30 September 2026.
About Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions. The CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, recognised with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was discovered there.
