PhD in Molecular Life Sciences

This PhD project is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying nutrient transport processes in Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria. The project aims to generate fundamental insights into parasite biology and translate them into new therapeutic strategies against malaria. Specific objectives will include the identification of essential membrane transport proteins, their functional and structural characterisation using biochemical and biophysical approaches, structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), investigation of their physiological roles in transgenic parasites, and structure-based drug design./nThe successful candidate will be working as a research assistant at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), part of the University of Bern, enrolled in the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB). The position is based in Bern and is a full-time PhD position with a duration of four years, intended to start in early summer 2026.