In this project, we will investigate the effect of the gut microbiome on immune fitness. We will study how infant formula with synbiotics can improve immune fitness. Our approach will be to combine multi-omics analyses and systems biology on several microbiological and host parameters.  We will use samples derived from clinical trials that performed nutrition interventions on children with allergy or who are at high risk of allergy development. Our results will unravel the connection between microbiota composition, microbial metabolome and the immune system.

Key responsibilities
The aim of your PhD project is to identify molecular markers that underlie the interaction between early life nutrition, intestinal microbial metabolome, and host immune status that predict immune fitness development. As PhD candidate you will:

• Improve the sample preparation and analytical methods for measuring metabolites in feces, saliva and plasma;
• Develop a high throughput immune fitness metabolomics platform for the measurement of metabolic markers in clinical samples;
• Analyze the data using multivariate statistics and develop computational models;
• Validate your findings using in-vitro experiments;
• Work with Danone, microbiome experts from Wageningen University and immunology experts from Radboud University Medical Centre.

• Master/Engineering degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology or Biomedical Engineering preferably with majors in Analytical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry;
• Strong interest in the field of metabolomics, microbiome, immune fitness, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and chemometrics applied to biological samples is desired;
• Proficient in spoken and written English;
• An independent and creative team player with good communicative skills;
• Able to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment.

We offer a  full-time appointment of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. Salary range from € 2.325,-  to €2.972,-  gross per month (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the faculty is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2.200 staff and almost 4,200 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. 

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is a leading institute dedicated to world-class research and education in drug discovery and development. LACDR comprises a diverse and international team of approximately 150 researchers and is ideally located at the Leiden Bio Science Park, the largest life science cluster in The Netherlands.Within the LACDR there is a growing focus on using (translational) metabolomics and patient derived organ-on-a-chip systems in the areas of drug research, translational disease research, systems pharmacology, computational modeling and biostatistics, and integration with epidemiological studies, genetics and clinical studies.

You will work at the Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics group at the LACDR that has a world-leading reputation in the field of metabolomics, and has a track record in developing novel analytical and microfluidic methods and applying them to biological questions and drug research.