PhD fellowship in “Vaccine induced protection of the respiratory tract against influenza”

We are offering a PhD fellowship in “Vaccine induced protection of the respiratory tract against influenza” commencing on 1 March 2024 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our group and research

Welcome to our vibrant research group, nestled at the forefront of immunology. We are a passionate and dedicated team of 8-10 scientists, technicians and students committed to advancing the field of vaccines against respiratory infections. Our primary focus is on combating challenging viruses like influenza, leveraging cutting-edge science to make significant breakthroughs.

Our mission

Our mission is to develop innovative, effective vaccines that can significantly reduce the burden of respiratory infections worldwide. We are driven by the belief that through rigorous research, collaboration, and creativity, we can make a lasting impact on global health. We have a larger grant from the Innovation Fund Denmark, in collaboration with colleagues at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and Expres2ion Biotechnologies, focused on the development of a vaccine against influenza, to 1) prevent infection if possible or 2) limit infection and spread of virus from affected hosts. Your work will directly contribute to combating some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Methods

We work with small animal models to investigate the immune response in the upper respiratory tract after vaccination/infection. We base a lot of our research on flow cytometry to evaluate the quantity and quality of vaccine-induced immune responses, and cell-based methods for virus quantification in different organs. Furthermore, we are moving towards characterization of T and B cells using single cell sequencing.

Professional development

We are committed to the growth of our team members, offering opportunities for professional development, conference attendance, and publication.

Project description

Join our cutting-edge research project aimed at revolutionizing influenza vaccine development. Our goal is to test and identify the most effective vaccine candidates targeting T or B cells, either individually or in combination. This project offers a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of immune responses, both post-vaccination and post-infection.

Key responsibilities

Vaccine Testing: Conduct thorough testing of various influenza vaccines, focusing on their effects on T and B cell responses.

Immune Response Analysis: Investigate the immune response triggered by these vaccines and following influenza infections.

Model Utilization: Employ a small animal model using mice to simulate influenza infections and the spread of influenza infection, analogous to human cases. We use a para influenza virus called Sendai virus to mimic this spread in mice.

Advanced Techniques: Utilize sophisticated analytical methods like flow cytometry, in vivo imaging, virus quantification, and single-cell sequencing to assess the robustness of vaccines against different influenza strains.

Our collaborative environment

Our project is enriched through collaboration with colleagues from our department and Expres2ion Biotechnologies, who are instrumental in developing innovative vaccines displaying both T and B cell targets. As part of our team, you'll be at the intersection of research and development, contributing to analyzing the effect of these vaccines.

What we are looking for

We seek a passionate, detail-oriented PhD student with a strong interest in immunology and vaccine research. The ideal candidate should be eager to learn, contribute to a collaborative environment, and have a dedication to scientific excellence.

Principal supervisor is Professor Jan Pravsgaard Christensen, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, [email protected], 30589945

Start date: 1 March 2024

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.

• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project, e.g., Master in Immunology. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (120 ECTS).

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved, particularly in immunology and immunology of infectious diseases.
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project, you hold an animal permit according to Danish legislation.
• Previous publications with relevance to the project.
• Relevant work experience, such as working with small animal models, work with in vivo imaging, work with virus infections, and work with flow cytometry.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in immunology, microorganisms, and respiratory tract infections.
• Language skills in English, spoken as well as in writing.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for work in GMO2 environment, both in the lab and in our animal facility. Our department runs a core facility for flow cytometry & single cell sequencing that supports our researchers. The faculty houses many top quality core facilities that can support you in your project.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is 1 March 2024 or after agreement.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 28,900 DKK/Roughly 3,800 EUR (October 2023 level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 19 December 2023, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk