Post Doctoral Fellow

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) brings together more than four decades of innovative and life-saving research on vaccines and infectious diseases. The Malaria Research Laboratory of Professor Stefan Kappe is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to develop novel malaria vaccines using advanced molecular genetics, functional genomics, and vaccinology approaches.

Research in the Kappe laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing Plasmodium liver-stage development, host–parasite interactions, and the development of next-generation malaria vaccine platforms, including genetically attenuated parasites (GAPs) and transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). The laboratory has conducted pioneering work in malaria parasite biology, immunology and vaccine development and is actively engaged in identifying and characterizing novel vaccine candidates targeting pre-erythrocytic and transmission stages of the parasite lifecycle. Current projects include CRISPR/Cas9-based parasite engineering, functional characterization of parasite genes involved in liver infection and mosquito transmission, identification of novel transmission-blocking vaccine antigens, and translational efforts aimed at improving whole-parasite and subunit malaria vaccines.

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties:

• Design and execute independent research projects focused on malaria parasite biology, genetics, and vaccine development.
• Generate and characterize transgenic Plasmodium parasites using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering approaches.
• Perform molecular cloning, parasite transfection, genotyping, and phenotypic analyses.
• Conduct liver-stage, blood-stage, and mosquito-stage parasite infection experiments.
• Identify and evaluate novel malaria vaccine candidates, including transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) antigens and genetically attenuated parasite (GAP) vaccine platforms.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and maintain accurate laboratory records.
• Prepare manuscripts, figures, presentations, and contribute to grant applications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams within the laboratory and with external collaborators.
• Mentor graduate students, research technicians, and junior trainees when appropriate.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, project discussions, and scientific presentations.
• Maintain compliance with institutional biosafety, animal care, and research regulations.

Research Areas

• CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering of Plasmodium parasites
• Generation and characterization of transgenic malaria parasites
• Functional genomics and gene expression
• Liver-stage malaria biology and host–parasite interactions
• Mosquito-stage parasite biology and transmission
• Identification and characterization of transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidates
• Development of genetically attenuated whole cell malaria vaccines
• Cell biology, immunology, and infection models
• Functional evaluation of malaria vaccine antigens

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Parasitology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related field
• Experience in molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques
• Strong experimental and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent organizational and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with malaria parasites or other apicomplexan parasites
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgenesis and molecular cloning
• Experience with parasite culture, mosquito infection studies, or transmission-stage biology
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing, transcriptomics, or functional genomics
• Experience with microscopy, flow cytometry, or host-pathogen interaction models
• Interest in translational malaria vaccine development