As a PhD candidate you will join the lab of Thom Sharp working at the interface between bionanotechnology and immunology, to develop a new class of immunotherapeutic to treat infectious diseases and cancer. The project involves design and synthesis of DNA nanotemplates conjugated to cyclic peptides that are capable of activating the human immune system. Peptides will be computationally designed and synthesised using solid-phase peptide synthesis in collaboration with the Boyle lab at Leiden University. Design of DNA nanotemplates and characterisation, including high-resolution (cryo-)electron microscopy, biophysical techniques, and cell-killing assays will be performed in the Sharp lab.

You have a degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or a similar field with a strong biological background. You will work with peptide synthesis, DNA nanotechnology, (cryo-)electron microscopy, and proteins and cells of the human immune system to understand more about how our innate immune system is activated.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Appointment should lead to a PhD thesis and is for a maximum duration of four years. Your salary is € 2,422 gross per month in the first year, progressing to € 3,103 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full time position (scale PhD students of the Collective Labor Agreement for University Hospitals).

References can be requested as part of the procedure. You will be asked to give a presentation and an assessment is also part of the procedure.

The Sharp lab

The Sharp lab comprises the BioNanopatterning group at the Department of Cell and Chemical Biology where we perform fundamental research into the human immune system using bionanotechnology, structural biology, cryo-electron microscopy, and develop techniques for super-resolution light microscopy. The LUMC has excellent facilities for electron microscopy, and is closely affiliated with the national centre for electron microscopy (NeCEN, ~1 km away). The department also has facilities available for molecular biology and chemistry, and the Sharp lab is closely affiliated with the Chemistry department at Leiden University.