The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing integral public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread human malaria parasite and remains a major challenge for malaria elimination. Unlike other malaria parasites, P. vivax can persist in hidden parasite reservoirs within the host,



including dormant liver-stage hypnozoites that reactivate weeks or months after an initial infection, as well as possible extra-circulating parasite biomass in tissues such as the spleen or bone marrow. These reservoirs complicate diagnosis, surveillance, and interpretation of recurrent infections, making it difficult to distinguish relapse, recrudescence, reinfection, and onward transmission.

The research will focus on developing genomic-epidemiological computational models to understand P. vivax infection and transmission dynamics. The project will integrate parasite genetic data and epidemiological data (including recurrence timing and spatial or prior exposure information) to distinguish biological and epidemiological drivers of asymptomatic malaria infections. This work will contribute to improved interpretation of P. vivax surveillance data in elimination and resurgence settings. Researchers are expected to be experts in quantitative model

📌 Invitation to Apply to a Post Doctoral Position (Barcelona)
🏢 Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
📍 Barcelona