If you have experience with humoral immunology and analysis in large databases, this might be your dream job.

Background

An important key in protection against infectious diseases is the presence of specific antibodies which can directly neutralize pathogens or mediate clearance through other immune compartments such as complement and phagocytes. Specific antibodies to pathogens are induced upon infection, or induced by immunization. In the absence of re-exposure to the pathogen or without re-immunization, antibodies will decay. Circumstances such as social distancing measures like those imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic bring down the circulation of pathogens, notably the ones causing airborne diseases. Such situation can result in waning of immunity in the population leading to breakthrough infections. In addition, immune-evasion strategies of pathogens will result in recurrent infections upon re-exposure to the pathogen. Such re-exposures will result in the measurable boosting of immunity, notably antibodies.

Aim of the PhD research

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate changes in antibody levels and antibody function to SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections that are of public health concern, either vaccine-preventable or not. For this purpose, the kinetics of antibodies will be analysed to provide insight into the duration off humoral immunity and hallmarks for re-infection. In addition, we aim to gain insight into possible critical levels of humoral immunity before infection and immunity gained after infection (or vaccination) . Since the data are obtained from a prospective nation-wide study with samples of persons of all ages, the decay and re-exposure will be assessed against various demographic factors as well as data from questionnaires. In this project you will work with experts in serology and experts of various pathogens of interest and epidemiologists.

We are looking for a person with:

• Curiosity in understanding immunity in the general population
• Ability to prioritize which pathogens to investigate and which demographic populations and risk factors to study.
• Principal Knowledge of immunology, preferably knowledge on the development of the adaptive immune response to different pathogens (fundamental science) as well as interest in translational science for public health
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with serological assays
• Experience or strong affinity for quantitative/qualitative modeling of antibody markers, eg levels/specificities
• Ability to work with large databases, preferably using R and eager to get acquainted with new data analysis approaches
• Creativity, positive energy, analytical capacity, well organized, perseverance

Fixed-term contract: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor 48 maanden.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

Salarisomschrijving: Het salaris (36-urige werkweek) wordt vastgesteld op grond van bijlage B van het Bezoldigingsbesluit Burgerlijke Rijksambtenaren 1984, en loopt in 4 stappen op van schaal 8, salarisnummer 0 (€ 2675,81 bruto per maand) naar schaal 8, salarisnummer 8, (€ 3344,91bruto per maand) in het vierde jaar.

Dienstverband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd

Contractduur: 48 maanden

Minimaal aantal uren per week: 32

Maximaal aantal uren per week: 36

Overige arbeidsvoorwaarden

Naast het salaris ontvang je een Individueel Keuzebudget (IKB). Het IKB bestaat uit geld (16,37% van je bruto jaarsalaris) en tijd. Met het IKB maak jij de keuzes die bij jou passen en kun je een deel van je arbeidsvoorwaarden zelf samenstellen. Je kunt er bijvoorbeeld voor kiezen om een deel van je maandinkomen te laten uitbetalen wanneer jij dat wenst. Ook kun je dit budget omzetten in verlof en andersom of besteden aan fiscaal vriendelijke doelen. De Rijksoverheid hecht sterk aan persoonlijke groei en loopbaanontwikkeling en biedt daarvoor tal van mogelijkheden. Tot de secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden behoren onder meer verschillende studiefaciliteiten, bedrijfsfitness, volledige vergoeding van je OV-reiskosten woon-werkverkeer en gedeeltelijk betaald ouderschapsverlof.