PhD (x2) in Staphylococcus aureus immune interaction

AUREUS is a multidisciplinary European Training Network, consisting of 11 academic groups and 5 companies, that will train a new generation of researchers to counteract multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The international research team combines expertise in the fields of chemistry, (micro-)biology and immunology.

• Project 1: You will focus on the role of dendritic cells (DCs) at barrier sites, especially skin, since these cells are critical for early detection and elimination of infecting Staphylococcus aureus. Using synthetic glycan fragments, recombinant C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and characterized S. aureus WTA wild-type and mutant strains, you will:

1. Identify recognition of S. aureus glycans by DC-expressed CLRs;
2. Determine human DCs immunological responses in response to S. aureus glycans;
3. Interrogate whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms in critical CLR residues occur in the population. If this is the case, the SNP-CLR variant will be expressed as recombinant protein and in cell line models to assess their impact on S. aureus detection.
   
   You will work in collaboration with: Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA), France; Universitat Wien (UNIVIE), Austria and Iceni Glycoscience Limited (ICENI), United Kingdom.

• Project 2: You will focus on isolating glycan-specific human memory B cells using synthetic glycan fragments to produce and characterize naturally occurring glycan-specific antibodies from healthy donors and S. aureus sepsis patients. The isolated B cells will also be characterized at a single cell level to identify specific characteristics. Identified mAbs will also be probed for cross-reactivity to other human pathogens, which may express similar glycan structures. Functionality of the antibodies will be assessed in complement deposition assays and neutrophil killing assays as a proxy for their in vivo protective capacity. Fab fragments of these mAbs will be used for STD-NMR and X-ray crystallography (projects from other DCs in the network) to inform further antibody engineering studies.
  
  You will work in collaboration with: Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen (UT), Germany; Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Spain and National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Limited (NIBRT), Ireland.

Please read up on more information about the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) projects here.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

You will receive high level, cutting-edge training in host-pathogen research with a focus on S. aureus. In addition you will be trained in transferable skills and will have the opportunity receive complementary research in the labs of collaborators at Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA), France; Universitat Wien (UNIVIE), Austria and Iceni Glycoscience Limited (ICENI), United Kingdom.

Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes. Infectious Diseases represents one of the major areas of clinical, applied and basic research, integrated at the Amsterdam infection and Immunity Institute (AI&II).

The PhD position is embedded in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention that is responsible for clinical diagnostics and infectious disease consultations, (bio)medical education and training, and research, thereby providing a broad insight into the full range of disciplines in medical microbiology, including bacteriology, virology and parasitology.

You will be joining the research group of Prof. dr. Nina van Sorge within the Laboratory for Experimental Bacteriology. Currently, the group consists of 5 postdocs and 3 PhD students, an associate professor and 2 technicians that are supportive of the day-do-day work and logistics.

Our research group has close collaboration with investigators and clinicians within the AMC, but also at the national and international level, which greatly complements our expertise and technological abilities to advance the research in host-pathogen interaction.

The selection process

• The selection process for this vacancy will take place in the second half of May 2025. The start date of these positions will not be before October 1st.
• AUREUS will select 15 doctoral candidates through a 4-step recruitment process. The selection procedure will be open, transparent, and merit-based, fully aligned with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Although the selection will be based on the quality of applications, gender balance will be also considered. More details about the selection process can be found here.
• Note that your application (cv and motivation letter) will be shared with the AUREUS research groups.

Applications (in English) must include two documents:

1) One PDF file to be submitted under 'cv' containing:

• An updated cv (max 2 pages).
• Scanned copy of the diploma (usually the Master’s Degree), which formally entitles the applicant to embark on a doctorate degree. In case the Master’s Degree has not been obtained yet at the closing date for application, the candidate has to send a declaration signed by his/her supervisor or from the University stating that the degree will be obtained before the start date of PhD enrollment.
• Letter of Recommendation from two appropriate referees or contact details of two references.
• Transcripts of records.

2) One PDF file to be submitted as a cover letter:

• This includes your motivation for the position and should emphasize your strengths regarding the project and the requirements (max 3 pages, font size 12 and single spacing, with figures if necessary). If you've applied for multiple projects, clearly indicate which other project(s), e.g. Project_DC#, you applied for in your cover letter.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Nina van Sorge, professor, via n.m.vansorge@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, recruitment advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.