PhD in T cell immunometabolism and immunotherapy

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the Foskolou Lab at Sanquin Research in Amsterdam to investigate how metabolic pathways shape T cell function and how this knowledge can be harnessed to improve immunotherapy outcomes.

T cells are central players in immune defence and cancer immunotherapy. Their ability to proliferate, persist, and eliminate tumour cells depends strongly on their metabolic state and the conditions they encounter in the tumour microenvironment. However, how T cells regulate their metabolic programs remains poorly understood. In this project, we will investigate how epitranscriptomic regulation (RNA methylation) can affect T cell metabolism and use this knowledge to enhance T cell immunotherapies.

The project will build on recently published insights. You will investigate how mRNA methylation can affect metabolic cues that shape T cell fate and function, and how these processes can be exploited to improve T cell-based immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy.

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

The project will combine:

• cellular and molecular immunology;
• metabolic profiling and functional assays;
• tumour models and immunotherapy approaches.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Inschaling in salarisschaal OIO: € 3.108 tot € 3.939 bruto bij een fulltime dienstverband (afhankelijk van ervaring) en een eindejaarsuitkering van 8,3%. Bereken hier jouw netto salaris.
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

You will be appointed within the department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Research BV, and the medical priority of immunotherapy of Sanquin Research. You will work with the Foskolou group at Sanquin with PhD students and postdocs working on T cell metabolism and CAR-T cell immunotherapies. You will be embedded in a multidisciplinary and enthusiastic environment that fosters national and international collaborations.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.