We have two positions advertised on this jobs page currently, please see below. To advertise jobs, or PhD opportunities please contact secretary(at)parasite.org.au
Position Available: PhD with 3.5 years of stipend-equivalent living allowance at the Menzies School of Health Research (Darwin).
We are seeking a motivated student to join our zoonotic malaria genomics program, focusing on cutting-edge bioinformatics and genomic epidemiology of Plasmodium knowlesi—an emerging cause of severe malaria across Southeast Asia.
The successful applicant will work with the largest P. knowlesi genomic dataset to date, applying high-level computational and statistical approaches within an internationally collaborative research team. Applicants should hold an Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field and meet CDU PhD entry requirements.
Location: Global & Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia. Possibility of remote candidature following 6-month in-person requirement.
Ideal commencement: midyear intake, 2026.
For more details, please see below or visit the Menzies website. To apply, please email: jacob.westaway(at)menzies.edu.au
Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
POSITION TITLE: PhD Student (Bioinformatician)— with 3.5 years stipend-equivalent
DIVISION / SECTION: Global & Tropical Health
ABOUT MENZIES:
Menzies School of Health Research is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes dedicated to improving Indigenous, global and tropical health. Menzies has a history of over 30 years of scientific discovery and public health achievement. Menzies works at the frontline, joining with partners across the Asia-Pacific as well as Indigenous communities across northern and central Australia. The Global and Tropical Health (GTH) Division is committed to tackling key areas of public health concern, including malaria, tuberculosis, Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and bacterial infections that impact on the health and wellbeing of people and communities across northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. GTH has established an ongoing zoonotic malaria research program since 2010 in Malaysia and from 2019 in endemic areas of Indonesia. The research program has a particular focus on the emerging monkey parasite Plasmodium knowlesi in Southeast Asia, and has encompassed the epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of this zoonotic malaria species. P. knowlesi is a major public health concern in Southeast Asia, where it has now become the most common cause of malaria in Malaysia and parts of western Indonesia. P. knowlesi can cause severe, life-threatening disease.
PhD SUMMARY:
Insights gained from genomic analyses of human malaria parasites have advanced our understanding of basic disease biology, drug resistance, malaria epidemiology, and molecular ecology. Technological advancements coupled with reduced costs in molecular and genomic tools are being leveraged across malaria elimination efforts, including large-scale (> 20,000 P. falciparum whole genomes), collaborative efforts to produce publicly available population-level whole genome data and the use of targeted sequencing approaches to monitor real-time genetic changes within malaria populations. Much of this work has been focused on the primary human-malaria causing parasites. However, as many countries approach the elimination of malaria caused by these species, other malaria parasites, including the under-studied zoonotic P. knowlesi, are becoming a growing concern. Thus, part of our research program is using cutting-edge genomic and bioinformatic techniques to better understand the biology, ecology, and epidemiology of P. knowlesi. This work is conducted collaboratively with partners both overseas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States and the Netherlands, and within Australia. Our genomic-centric program involves genome-wide association studies, population genetics, and tool development. Our goal is to contribute to the malaria elimination efforts in Southeast Asia.
There is an opportunity for a PhD student to undertake a bioinformatics project within our program of work on zoonotic P. knowlesi malaria. The student will play a key role in large-scale genomic analyses, drawing on their high-level computational and statistical experience to develop and modify appropriate genomic tools for analyses in P. knowlesi. This may include microhaplotype tool development, P. knowlesi-associated viral discovery in macaque hosts, and comparative analyses of parasites from human and macaque infections. The student will be supervised by a team of world-leading malaria researchers and bioinformaticians from the Menzies School of Health Research, The University of Sydney and James Cook University, and will work collaboratively within an international team. The research activities are the culmination of years of fieldwork and an unprecedented number of samples, as well as whole genome sequencing of the largest dataset of P. knowlesi isolates to date and genotyping of the first P. knowlesi infected human dataset. This is a great opportunity for a student looking to further develop their computational skills in applied bioinformatics.
Position Available: Postdoctoral Position in Tick-Borne Diseases
Institution: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
The Pedra Laboratory at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study tick-borne diseases. We use a variety of technologies coupling systems biology and reductionist approaches to understand fundamental interactions between the arthropod vector, the microbe (s) and the mammalian host. We have projects related to arthropod immunophysiology, skin immunology, systems biology and neuroimmunology.
The Pedra laboratory takes advantage of an academic/research environment where professional growth and distinct career choices are appreciated. Motivated and ingenious trainees are encouraged to pursue independent projects. The Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area is well-placed geographically, famous for its rich history, elegant cities and beautiful natural scenery. The Metro Region is an especially attractive workplace due to its moderate cost of living and a nice blend between urban and suburban life.
To apply: Please submit a CV (3 pages or less), a letter summarizing research interests, experience and goals (1 page or less), and the names and phone numbers/e-mail of three references to: Dr. Joe Pedra, Ph.D., Professor, E-mail: jpedra(at)som.umaryland.edu (pedralab.com).
