The project

This collaborative project is led by two departments at the Amsterdam UMC, the department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, location VUmc, and the department of Experimental Immunology, location AMC, joining forces on designing novel allergy vaccines. Prof. dr. van Kooyk, location VUmc, studies the design of new vaccines that target innate immune cells (dendritic cells) for the treatment of cancer and allergy. Prof. dr. E.C. de Jong and Prof. dr. R. van Ree, location AMC, focus on modulation of immune responses in translational allergy in the field of peanut and house dust mite allergy.

The current project will develop glyco-nanosytems that target DC in situ to induce allergy suppressive T cells. Moreover, we will investigate whether glycan-modified allergy vaccines induce suppression of neutrophils and mast cells. This collaborative project is funded by Health Holland, and by two companies DC4U and Citeq. We study fundamental research questions as well as translational applications, using human in vitro models and analysis of patient material with the ultimate goal to translate our findings to the clinic.

Your challenge

As PhD student your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• production of glycan-modified allergy vaccines;
• immune validating of vaccines in human in vitro DC, mast cells and neutrophil assays,

as well as ex vivo skin model;

• multiplex confocal microscopy;
• to use state-of-the-art high-dimensional cytometry techniques, RNA-sequencing and

bioinformatics to analyze the data.

We are looking for two highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers. For this position its important that you have a creative and flexible attitute and you are avialible to work flexible hours when the circumstances in the project require. You will be part of a young, multidisciplinary team, with ample experience, and an excellent position within the expert field. Are you a teamplayer with excellent communication skills and do you also have the capacity to work indepenently?

In addition we are looking for two PhD student who have:

• a Master’s degree in a field related to Biomedical sciences, (medical) biology, biochemistry
• significant experience with immunological and cell biological techniques;
• interest in pushing the boundaries of research through technology-driven applications;
• excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

Your work environment

In this position you will closely collaborate with enthusiastic colleagues with ample experience in novel techniques, in a setting of fundamental as well as translational context. Moreover, you will be part of a network that operates between academia and industrial partners.

You will work in a team with young and enthusiastic researchers, who have expertise in immunology, biochemistry, cell biology and allergy. Research within both departments is performed in the vibrant environment of the O|2 Lab Building (VUmc) and the AMC and at an international high competitive level. The departments consists of several research groups that study cellular and molecular interactions in health and disease. Our work is embedded in the research institute Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute (AI&II). You will have the opportunity to participate in courses, congresses and grant opportunities organized by AI&II.

Salary Scale PHD: 2422 tot 3103 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).

In addition we offer:

• Additional benefits include an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay.
• Your pension premium will be paid by us for 2/3.
• We reimburse 75% of your OV travel costs (commuting costs).

The position is for 4 years. We first offer a fixed term contract for 1 year, which under normal circumstances will be prolonged with 3 years. We also provide you with the opportunity to follow further training and development.

For more information about our employment conditions, please visit our website.