Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Milk and Malaria Research

Job no:509451
Work type:full time
Location:Nedlands Campus
Categories:Health and Medical Sciences

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

The Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation is looking to appoint a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher to undertake interdisciplinary collaborative research at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Western Australia. The aim of this research is to elucidate determinants of malaria prevention through breastfeeding.

The postdoctoral fellow will determine whether specific milk components of human milk, which are known to be critical in inducing immune responses (oligosaccharides, microbiota and Plasmodium falciparum antigen) are associated with malaria incidence and outcome in breastfed infants.

The postholder will be employed by the Family Larrsson-Rosenquist Foundation and will be based at UC San Diego for 9 months and at the University of Western Australia (the lead University) for 15 months.

It is expected that the candidate will have a background in biology, biochemistry, nutrition, immunology, or a related field. Supervision will be provided jointly by Prof. Lars Bode at UC, San Diego and by Prof. Verhasselt at the University of Western Australia, Perth. The candidate will also interact very closely with Dr Egwang, Med Bio-tech Laboratories in Kampala, Uganda.

The post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 24 months with the option to extend on extramural funding.

SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

Two-thirds of malaria mortality cases occur in children - the majority of whom are breastfed from birth up to 24 months. These ‘break through’ malaria infections probably indicate incomplete protection by breastfeeding. There is a significant gap in knowledge about antimalarial immunity mediated by breastfeeding and the factors involved.

Recent preliminary data demonstrated that high concentrations of specific human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in Ugandan mothers’ milk are differentially associated with malaria risk and severity in their infants (Prof. Bode; Dr. Egwang). We also found that 15 % of mothers with asymptomatic P. falciparum malaria, shed malaria antigen in breast milk (Prof. Verhasselt; Dr. Egwang) and we have abundant evidence from preclinical models that antigen shedding in human milk activates the infant immune system towards tolerance or defence immune response (Prof. Verhasselt).

The aim of this study is to establish the relationship between malaria antigen shedding, HMOs and microbiota composition in human milk and malaria risk in infant. If verified, our hypothesis will open new avenues for malaria prevention, such as injection of malaria antigen into mothers to naturally vaccinate the child via breast milk. It will also provide evidence for prebiotics- or synbiotic-based dietary interventions for the mother and/or child to de-crease the risk of malaria. The potential to move the field forward and make a sustainable impact is high.

RESEARCH CENTRES

Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (LRF MOMI CORE) is located on the main campus of UC, San Diego in La Jolla and focuses on biomedical research and education research around all aspects of human milk. MOMI CORE is driving the frontiers of human milk research by en-gaging and activating researchers, clinicians and educators from ostensibly unrelated disciplines and back-grounds to apply their unique perspectives and expertise to human milk. MOMI CORE’s mission is to create an engine of discovery focused on understanding human milk by fostering collaborative investigation across re-search, education and clinical practice to improve the health and development of infants, mothers, and society as a whole.

Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Centre for Immunology and Breastfeeding (LRF CIBF) is located in Perth at the Telethon Kids Institute, a world-leading centre of research promoting child health, and is affiliated to the University of Western Australia. The team establishes the matches and, importantly, the possible mismatches, between what the infant needs for healthy development and the nutrition that they are provided with. Importantly, CIBF aims to reveal what is required to make breast milk more likely to prevent conditions such as allergy, malaria or growth failure. The knowledge is generated through basic and clinical research to inform changes in clinical prac-tice and drive policy changes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and lead a project plan for both the human cohort study analysis as well as biological data
• Analyze human milk samples for concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides, microbiota and P. fal-ciparum antigens
• Analyze blood samples for immune responses against P. falciparum antigens.
• Utilize statistical methods to analyse associations between milk components, blood immune responses and clinical outcomes
• Attend appropriate scientific seminars and meetings and remain up-to-date with developments in the relevant fields.
• Work collaboratively with team members at UC, San Diego, the University of Western Australia, and Med Biotech Laboratories in Kampala (Uganda).
• Contribute to the supervision of students.
• Present results of analyses at internal academic meetings, as well as national and international scientific conferences.
• Prepare scientific publications arising from the research.

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA

• A PhD in a field related to biomedical research, e.g. biochemistry, biology, nutrition, immunology.
• Ability to work in highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments across continents.
• Knowledge in immunology and infectious diseases.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and in writing.
• Experience of contributing to high-impact scientific papers as evidenced by publications.

DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA

• African resident and/or experience of research in Africa
• Highly collaborative. Willing to undertake multi-disciplinary research across continents.
• Knowledge of malaria aetiology and pathology.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, liquid chromatography.
• Ability to develop a long-term, holistic research vision for the topic.
• Ambition to write grant proposals and to seek new grants to further develop interdisciplinary research topic.
• Capacity to anchor the topic to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and understanding how it applies in low-resource settings.
• Willingness to integrate the work/vision within the key WHO and UNICEF initiatives.
• Motivation to identify collaboration opportunities and build collaborations.
• Drive to develop yourself as a leader within your field.
• Capable of establishing the topic’s value with potential funders.
• Envision the road to implementation – from basic research to application and social impact.

Have we sparked your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your electronic application (including CV, letter of motivation and names and contact details of 3 professional referees):[email protected]

If you have any questions about the role, please contact us at:
[email protected] or T: +41 52 511 30 70

Please note that this is not an UWA appointment and all applications should be submitted directly to the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation via email to  [email protected]

Advertised:23 Mar 2022 W. Australia Standard Time
Applications close:30 Mar 2022 11:55 PM W. Australia Standard Time