PhD student (m/f/d)

wanted for the next possible date at the Center for Infectious Diseases for the Parasitology department.

Investigating mechanisms of chromosome segregation during the exit of male Plasmodium gametes.

Malaria is a devastating infectious disease that kills more than half a million people per year. It is caused by the eukaryotic, single-celled parasite Plasmodium, which infects mosquitoes to spread from host to host. At the Hentzschel lab, we investigate the biology of early mosquito infection, particularly the formation of male gametes. This is a fascinating and extremely fast process that generates eight flagellated gametes from a precursor cell within only fifteen minutes. Yet, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood, and how the parasite organises the rapid genome replication and segregation into individual gametes remains elusive. We have previously identified a protein complex that mediates sorting the genomes during male gamete formation and found that nuclear actin is important for this process. We now want to understand the molecular and cellular processes underlying this phenotype, which might help to develop transmission-blocking drugs in the future.

During your fully funded PhD project (3 years, 65 %), you will use state-of-the-art molecular and cellular biology, genetic engineering and imaging technologies to investigate the function of an unusual protein complex and its interaction with nuclear actin during Plasmodium male gamete formation. You will join a young, dynamic group with plenty of opportunities to bring in your own ideas. You can expect a supportive environment and close supervision and mentoring with the aim to comprehensively expand your scientific and professional skills, enabling you to develop into an independent researcher. Our lab is part of the Center for Infectious Diseases, located in the new CIID building on the Neuenheimer Feld Campus in Heidelberg, where you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Being part of a priority program (https://www.spp2225.rwth-aachen.de/) you will be collaborating with scientists from across Germany and will have opportunities to join national and international meetings. All PhD students at Heidelberg University are enrolled in graduate school offering many career development opportunities.

More information about the lab and the project can be found on the lab website: http://tinyurl.com/hentzschel-lab-HD.