Posted: 07-24-2024
Locations: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Description: The successful candidate will participate in research using a variety of molecular biology assays and bioinformatic tools to analyze malaria parasite genomes to select genetically diverse strains from different geographic areas to use for controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) to provide support to anti-malaria drugs and vaccines testing. The successful candidate will also collaborate extensively with internal and external researchers on the culture adaptation and cloning of field malaria parasite strains.
The participant in this program will gain extensive educational experience that will greatly enhance his/her career opportunities. In particular, the participant will gain hands-on knowledge of working with cultures of malaria parasites at different stages of development under cGMP conditions, microsatellite analysis, targeted sequencing, SNP analysis and WGS analysis. This combination of assays is extremely difficult to find. Furthermore, the participant will conduct analyses using the most state-of-the-art software and bioinformatics tools, such as DNASTAR’s Genomics Suite and GeneMapper. Under the mentorship of WRAIR staff, the selected candidate will help establish a fundamental understanding of translational, military-relevant scientific research. The selected candidate will be highly encouraged to begin expanding their network of scientific colleagues and seek collaborations within the U.S. Department of Defense, academia, and commercial companies. Furthermore, the participant will be challenged to develop new and innovative methods for analyzing malaria parasite DNA, and will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to this emerging field.
Requirements:
– Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related field (Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Cell Biology preferred)
– Knowledge of basic laboratory skills (sterile technique is a plus)
– Good documentation abilities
– Desire to learn
– Organized
– Detail-oriented ethic
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