PhD in MSCA Doctoral Network: in lipid immunometabolism for therapy

We invite applications for a full-time PhD position within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network on “UNderstanding Lipid ImmunoMetabolIsm To trEat Disease” (UNLIMITED).

Research focus
The UNLIMITED project investigates how lipid metabolism regulates immune cell function and contributes to diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity. The project combines immunology, bioinformatics, metabolism and drug development, using state-of-the-art approaches including multi-omics, single-cell technologies and advanced lipidomics to identify novel therapeutic targets.

As a doctoral candidate, you will receive interdisciplinary and intersectoral training across academia and industry, gaining both advanced scientific expertise and transferable skills. UNLIMITED aims to advance precision medicine and generate mechanistic insights that inform the development of precision immunotherapy.

It is now well established that metabolic configuration is a key regulator of immune cell function and therefore an important factor in the development of improved diagnostics and therapies. Although opportunities to profile immunometabolism have expanded rapidly in recent years, these approaches are still not routinely applied in most academic and industrial laboratories. To advance the field, accessible and standardized tools are needed to lower the barrier to immunometabolism research and support the translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical applications.

Aim of the position
Apply immunometabolic profiling across immune cell types and disease contexts.

Objectives

• Establish and standardize cytometry-based immunometabolic profiling panels to enable comprehensive analysis of key metabolic pathways across species.
• Identify metabolic and lipid metabolic profiles in health and disease, and determine conserved or disease-specific signatures across cells, tissues and disease states (e.g. multiple sclerosis, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease).
• Investigate how selected interventions reshape immune cell metabolism, including lifestyle-related changes (such as diet), immunometabolic modulators and commonly used clinical drugs, to inform diagnostic biomarkers and targeted immune interventions.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with the following qualifications and experience:

• a completed master’s degree in biomedical sciences, immunology, medicine, bioinformatics or a related field;
• strong interest in immunometabolism, immune cell biology and translational research;
• affinity with experimental and/or data-driven research, such as flow cytometry, multi-omics, single-cell technologies or lipidomics (experience is a plus, motivation to learn is essential);
• analytical, structured and curious, with attention to reproducibility and standardization;
• strong communication skills and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Note: Important strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs:

1. You must be in the first four years of your research career and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
2. At the time of the application deadline, you must also have a Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
3. A 3-6 month internship in another institution/country will be part of the Marie Curie project.

This translational project combines fundamental and clinically relevant research questions in appropriate model systems. You will be based at the immunometabolism group (Dr. Jan Van den Bossche) and the lipids in neuroinflammation group (Dr. Gijs Kooij) within the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc (O|2 Lab Building).

You will join a young and enthusiastic team with expertise in immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, and neurological diseases. The department provides a stimulating environment with research performed at an internationally competitive level.

The project is part of the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UNLIMITED, a consortium of 15 academic and non-academic partners. This gives you the opportunity to collaborate with international researchers, industry experts, and clinical partners, providing access to a wide network of knowledge, technologies, and training. It offers unique opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research, learn new methods, and develop your career in immunometabolism and precision medicine on an international stage. . To achieve this, each PhD candidate will spend at least 4 months in the labs of other UNLIMITED partners, in accordance with the MSCA DN mobility requirements and the training objectives.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

Please include during the submission:

• Full curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, if applicable; maximum 2 pages).
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) describing your previous research experience and current research interests, clearly outlining your fit with the desired PhD topic(s).
• At least two reference letters, plus the names and contact details of the referees.
• Transcripts of grades obtained for B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, including expected final grade and anticipated graduation date, if applicable. The final M.Sc. certificate must be presented upon hiring. All documents must be submitted in English. Official translations are required for documents originally issued in another language.
• Additional certificates (English language certificates, GRE scores, awards, etc.), if available.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. Jan Van den Bossche, at j.vandenbossche@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.