Research using 'omics type of data, often called 'systems immunology', offers broad insights into vaccination and infection-induced immunity and how we can optimize vaccination strategies to obtain more effective and long lasting immunity. Within the system immunology field, we are actively involved in a large European (IMI) project: PERISCOPE (https://periscope-project.edu). In this project, we study immunity against Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough. Within PERISCOPE, a range of human clinical studies have been performed, including controlled human infection studies and vaccination studies. Longitudinal samples have been collected from these studies to generate data on bulk and single-cell gene expression, as well as other immunological parameters, including cytokines, antibodies, flow cytometry and functional antibody assays. You will integrate this information into a systematic view of biological processes involved in responses to pertussis vaccination and/or infection. Aside from those mechanistic insights you will also identify biomarkers that predict vaccination efficacy, based on comparing the immunological data with the 'omics data'.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Processing of gene expression data and immunological data to separate relevant from technical causes of variation (e.g. batch effects).
• Comparative analysis of immunological data within studies to identify plausible mechanistic relationships between various factor underlying them.
• Comparative analysis of immunological data between studies.
• Communicating with other members of the research team on a weekly basis.
• Reporting your results in the form of publications, presentations and reports.
• Employing statistical models - including mixed effects models - to analyze and interpret dynamic responses within and between treatment groups.

• A PhD in computational biology/bioinformatics, with proven interest in immunology, OR
• A PhD in immunology with a proven interest in the comparative analysis of 'omics data, e.g. in R.
• Experience in statistical techniques like mixed effects modeling.
• Enthusiasm for research into vaccination.
• Strong communication skills.

Fixed-term contract: One and a half years contract.

Upon commencement of employment we require a certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG) and there will be, depending on the type of job, a screening based on the provided cv. Radboud university medical center's HR Department will apply for this certificate on your behalf.

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Radboudumc

The Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics (CMBI) fosters a lively, international and interactive scientific culture that aims to have a significant impact on health care and to obtain mechanistic insights into life by applying new and existing methods in the analysis of biomedical data. We strive for excellence through innovation and through intense collaboration to identify the relevant research questions. Directly Involved in this project is furthermore the Laboratory of Medical Immunology (LMI). The LMI is embedded within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases and performs core immunological patient diagnostics within the Radboudumc. Our research is focused on the regulation of the immune system, with a particular focus on immunity to infectious diseases.

Radboudumc
Radboudumc in Nijmegen strives to be a leading developer of sustainable, innovative and affordable healthcare to improve the health and wellbeing of people and society in the Netherlands and beyond. This is the core of our mission: To have a significant impact on healthcare. To get a better picture of what this entails, check out our strategy.

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