Criteria

:

a) Malaysian nationals only

b) No age limit

c) Must hold a master's degree in relevant fields (Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, etc.) before the start date

Description of the position

:

Responsibilities:

·       Conduct mosquito habitat surveys and sample collections

• Gather environmental data using drones and satellite imagery
• Apply machine learning to predict zoonotic malaria risks and create a risk map for Sabah
• Perform genetic analyses to:

o        Estimate mosquito migration patterns between local populations

• Identify mosquito host animals through residual DNA
• Determine malaria infection rates in mosquitoes
• Enrolled as a PhD student at Ehime University, Japan
• Travel between Japan (data analysis & thesis writing) and Malaysia (fieldwork)

Preferred Qualifications:

·                  Experience in fieldwork (sample collection) & DNA experiments

• Knowledge of entomology (advantageous)
• Malaysian driving license (advantageous)

Research 

focus

:

This SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development)-funded project in collaboration with Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre (BMHRC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah, focuses on controlling zoonotic malaria in Sabah, Malaysia. The research involves field surveys and genetic analysis of vector mosquitoes to understand malaria transmission identification, and malaria infection rates

Contract details

:

·                  Duration of contract: Maximum of 4 years & 6 months.

·                  Full financial support (stipend, tuition, and round-trip ticket) is guaranteed by the SATREPS project, and can also be complemented by additional support from scholarships from private foundations in Japan.

·                   The candidate should be able to work independently, with very good or excellent English communication skills.

Application & selection Process

:

Application Process:

Send the following documents to Prof. Kozo Watanabe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·       CV (any format)

• Application letter (max 3 pages, including past research & motivation to study in the MECOH Lab)
• At the end of your application letter, please include the names, affiliations, and contact details of two references whom Professor Watanabe can contact for an online meeting
• PDF of published papers (if any)

Selection Process:

✅ Applicants will receive an acknowledgment email within one week. If no response, please follow up

✅ Shortlisted applicants will undergo an online interview (PPT-based presentation & Q&A)

✅ Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email

Deadline

:

10^th March 2025

Start date

:

Flexible, between April-August 2025 (late start negotiable)