PREAMBLE

The Africa Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology is seeking to fill in a position for the execution of two projects. The Centre is seeking to recruit a female PhD fellow.

PROJECT 1

Sickle cell reticulocyte transcriptome project: This project will entail a focus on fetal hemoglobin expression during development and maturation of red blood cells (RBCs) with a bid to characterizing F cells in sickle cell disease using single cell transcriptomics. This exciting project includes laboratory and computational studies and will be based primarily in the Department of Biochemistry and the Africa Center of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Disease and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Research collaborations exists with opportunities for international training. Project duration is 2 years.

PROJECT 2

African materno-fetal system project: This project will entail a focus on the African materno-fetal system at single cell resolution. This exciting project includes laboratory, field and computational studies. Primary site of the research will be the Department of Biochemistry and the Africa Center of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Disease and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Research collaborations exists with opportunities for international training. Project duration is 3 years.

REQUIREMENTS

The female full-time PhD fellow will work on placenta cell(s) development during normal pregnancy. Prospective candidates for Ph.D fellowship must have MSc in biochemistry, biotechnology, anatomy, physiology, cell biology, or related fields with strong research experience in these fields and a record of high-quality publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals.

In addition, interested candidates should...

** Be a highly motivated individual interested in pursuing rigorous developmental biology research.

** Be committed to a long-term research career in cell biology and genetics.

** Be a person of integrity and have an eye for details.

** Have prior research experience in molecular and cell biology research as well as, computational/bioinformatics research experience.

** Be able to use R for data analysis and graphics.

** Experience with microscopic imaging will be an additional plus.

EXPECTATIONS

Successful fellows will be expected to work on a project to identify, isolate and characterize placenta cell types in normal pregnancy. The result of this project is expected to establish major placenta and fetal cell type(s) and their interactions in normal pregnancy

i. Successful PhD fellow will work under the direct supervision of the project PI. PhD fellow will be awarded her PhD degree in her department of enrolment

ii. Successful PhD fellow must be prepared to submit at least one manuscript per year leading to publications in high-impact journal.

iii. The PI is supported with funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundations. The PI will support successful PhD Fellow for 2 years initially, with a possibility of an additional year extension based on performance and availability of additional funds. Funds will cover:

a. A competitive monthly salary

b. Research supplies and reagents

Successful candidates may be required to take prescribed courses from specific departments to enhance their capacity.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Application forms can be downloaded online at https://acentdfb.org/phd-fellowship/ Interested applicants should send their completed application documents in an email titled “PhD Fellowship - Application_CZI 2022” to idowuaimola@gmail.com and copy to acentdfb@gmail.com. Applications from under-represented researchers are strongly encouraged. Applicants with MBBS degree interested in pursuing an MSc biochemistry or biotechnology or exceptional candidates coming directly from BSc studies may be considered. For further inquiries, please contact Ibrahim B. Sani (+2348069141217). Applications should be addressed and sent to the below address.

 The Centre Leader,
Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected 
Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria.
                             

Note: Application for this position closes on December 31st, 2023.