Job offer: Laboratory technician for Malaria Glycobiology - Targeting Plasmodium falciparum glycosylation pathways for new antimalarial therapies (GlycoTargets)

ISGlobal is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support the engineering of Plasmodium falciparum mutants (conditional knockouts or knockdowns) in metabolic pathways involved in glycoconjugate biosynthesis in the parasite. This role includes creating these cell lines through CRISPR-Cas9 techniques, genotyping the mutants, and performing detailed phenotypic and biological analyses throughout the parasite’s asexual and/or sexual blood stages. The primary aim is to identify key metabolic targets in P. falciparum involved in the biosynthesis of sugar precursors and downstream biosynthetic pathways, thereby deepening our understanding of malaria parasite biology. The position may also involve expressing and purifying recombinant parasite proteins relevant to these metabolic pathways. Research activities will be conducted in the CEK laboratories as part of ISGlobal’s Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases Program.

The contract is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities within the project PID2022-137031OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER, EU.

• Degree & MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine, Clinical Laboratory or similar
• Experience in a research or clinical laboratory settingComputer skills (Windows, Microsoft Office, Statistics and Bioinformatics)

• Self-motivation and perseverance
• Advanced training in research and/or clinical laboratory work
• Experience in handling and managing laboratory or clinical samples
• Proven ability to maintain accurate and detailed records, including laboratory notebooks, sample logs, and research data

• Prepare presentations describing main results, draft, submit and review manuscripts, etc 
• Culture and tight synchronization of parasites under different treatment regimens (for specific gene disruption)
• Biochemical and molecular analyses of asexual and sexual stages of treated/untreated parasites, to describe the molecular basis of the specific phenotypes observed
• Carry out supervised & independent research on parasite biochemistry and molecular biology

Perform specialized tasks to support laboratory research, including P. falciparum in vitro culture, molecular and biochemical techniques, and genetic manipulation of Plasmodium parasites.

• Contribute to the smooth operation of the laboratory
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date databases and reagent inventories
• Collaborate in the preparation of media, buffers, and other reagents needed for daily experiments
• Support routine activities essential for parasite culture and work within the BSL-2 culture room

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder. 

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional asessment process.

• Teamwork.
• Problem resolution.
• Learning capacity.
• Interest in research.
• Analytical capabilities.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

• A strong command of English is highly recommended

• Duration: 4 months     
• Starting date: 01/12/2024    
• Contract: Full time 
• Salary Range: Technician II D at ISGlobal’s Salary Scales

Applicants must fill in the request form and include the following code reference position: Labtech_Glycotargets-Malaria_Nov24, attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname. 

The receipt of applications will be open until 15th November 2024

Applications will be accepted until 17.00 CET of the closing date.

Only the applications submitted through the request form will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The interviews could be placed during the reception candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

The selection process is designed in two phases:

1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be pass. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

ISGlobal supports the initiative #ScienceforUkraine. Therefore, to sustain Ukraine’s presence in the European Research Area and international scholarly community, candidates from Ukraine on all levels of scholarly career are welcome: students, PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior scholars.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.