Malaria Research Postgraduate Opportunities

Background Postgraduate research opportunities (Hons, MSc, PhD and postdoctoral fellowships) are available in the Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory (M2PL, http://www.up.ac.za/malaria-parasite-molecular-laboratory-m2pl) in the Department of Biochemistry under Prof Birkholtz.

This dynamic research group focuses on various aspects of malaria parasite biology that may be targeted in drug discovery strategies. These include discovery of drugs to be used for prophylaxis / chemotherapy as well as blocking transmission of the parasite between humans and the mosquito vector. Current research focus areas include the following:

1) Malaria parasite cell cycle analysis for drug target discovery2) Antimalarial drug lead discovery3) Transmission blocking assay development for drug discovery4) Genomic analyses of field isolates of malaria parasites for drug

susceptibility

Postgraduate research outcomes will therefore directly contribute towards international goals of worldwide sustainable malaria elimination.

The research is part of the University of Pretoria Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control (www.malaria.up.ac.za) and additionally contributes to the Genomics Research Institute (www.genomics.up.ac.za). The research is funded by the European Union Network of Excellence in Malaria research (EviMalar) and the MRC Strategic Health Innovation Partnership, with the Medicines for Malaria Venture. Prof Birkholtz holds a DST/NRF SARChI Research Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control.

Student positions available: There are two MSc and one PhD positions available in the group, fully funded with a bursary and research costs.

Requirements Postgraduate students with a strong academic background in cellular and molecular biology are sought.

Prof L Birkholtz DSR/NRF SARChI Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory Department of Biochemistry Tel: 012 420 2479 Email: lbirkholtz@up.ac.za