We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoc candidate for a collaborative project between the department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology of the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) and the Immunology Division of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) of Utrecht University. The project will focus on the therapeutic potential of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) as a novel cellular therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The project's main goal is to answer the critical questions: are tolDCs safe and are they capable of inducing antigen-specific regulatory T cells in humans to such an extent that therapeutic tolerance can be expected in rheumatoid arthritis? The development of immunomonitoring assays for the detection of antigen-specific T cells will be essential for this purpose. These assays can be used as response predictors, and will therefore play an important role in the process of patient selection for this treatment and in measuring responses to tolDC treatment in patients. You will also be involved in setting up of a clinical trial using tolDC therapy to tackle rheumatoid arthritis.

You are highly motivated and are interested in restoring immune tolerance, assay development and clinical immunology. You have research experience in the field of immunology, experience in the purificaton and handling of immune cells, advanced experience with flow cytometry, and preferably also experience with dendritic cell cultures. You are accustomed to carrying out internationally competitive research, as demonstrated by scientific publications, experience in successfully designing and developing new experiments, and experience in analyzing and interpreting experimental data. You should have the capacity for creative and original research of the highest impact and the ability to multi-task, organize your own work with minimal supervision, maintain a clear and up-to-date lab notebook, deliver written reports, and communicate results effectively at meetings and conferences. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. This project will involve animal experimentation.

Fixed-term contract: temporary appointment for 2 years.

For this 100% post, the maximum salary will be € 4.321,00. This will be a temporary appointment for 2 years.

University Medical Centre Utrecht

With over 1,100 beds and more than 11,000 employees, the University Medical Center Utrecht is one of the largest academic health care centers in the Netherlands. Our aim is to improve. Our patients’ health, but also our students and employees. Whether you are a doctor or a business economist, a researcher or a SAP-specialist: working with us means having a job that matters, access to the best facilities and the opportunity to grow as a professional and contribute towards innovative health care.

Scientific research at the UMC Utrecht is rooted in the world around us. We listen to people; the wishes and needs of patients come first. Together with our national and international partners, we invest in innovation and research in order to ensure that our care remains of the highest quality. Focus is pivotal in this, which is why we have concentrated our research in six programs:

• Brain
• Infection & Immunity
• Circulatory Health
• Personalized Cancer Care
• RM & Stem Cells
• Child Health

http://www.werkenbijumcutrecht.nl/

UMC Utrecht and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University

At UMC Utrecht, we work tirelessly every day to ensure that our research, methodologies, and treatments best serve society, since we believe that everyone deserves the very best care. The result is innovative, cutting-edge medical treatment that meets the healthcare needs of today and tomorrow. We develop our unique knowledge together with patients, patient organizations and various partners. Our doctors, researchers and students work together to address major medical issues and our patients receive treatment specifically geared to their individual needs. 

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University (FVM-UU), the Netherlands’ only Veterinary School, is a high-ranking international institution for education, research and veterinary medical patient care. FVM-UU is one of the few European veterinary schools accredited by the American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). The faculty employs approximately 1,000 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and has 1,500 students.