The program investigates regulation of antibody responses to be able to prevent occurrence of unwanted antibody responses against red blood cells (RBCs), platelets or other blood products.

The position 
The PhD student will investigate and elucidate how antigens in different contexts (soluble, complexes or membrane-bound) and antibodies against these antigens regulate human B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells with help of activated Thelper cells. It will give insight into how these processes may be stopped at an early stage of B cell differentiation to prevent formation of unwanted plasma cells and unwanted antibodies. Experiments involve among other primary human B cell cultures, multi-color flow-cytometry and single cell RNAseq analyses. 

We request 

• A Master degree in Biomedical Sciences or a similar education level, with special interest in immunology.
• Knowledge of immunology is required and a proven track record in research in cellular immunology is a pre.
• Knowledge on bio-informatics and big data analyses is a pre.
• Team player with good communication skills and passion for research.

We offer 

• Excellent research-infrastructure for highly advanced studies
• Salary and conditions conform Sanquin Collective Labour Agreement
• 8.33% end-of-year bonus; i.e. a thirteenth month in case of full-year employment.
• Partial reimbursement of travel costs.
• Pension plan with Pensioenfonds Zorg & Welzijn (PFZW);
• At fulltime employment (36 hours) 201 hours of leave per annum.

Sanquin

About Sanquin: 
The mission of Sanquin is: “Together with the donor we ensure a better life for patients”. 
Sanquin is a knowledge-driven not-for-profit organization that supplies life-saving products and services, as well as involved in blood transfusion medicine- and immunology- related research 

B cell Research group

Research group 
The B cell Research group investigates the regulation T cell-dependent B cell differentiation and antigen-specific IgG responses. The group is part of the Department of Immunopathology in the Division Research of Sanquin. The department comprises 50-60 people (postdocs, PhD-students, undergraduate students and technicians) that all work on related research topics.