The PhD student position is funded by the European Commission-funded CLARITY project and focuses on mechanisms how severe lower airway infections with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus, a virus that infects nearly all infants before the age of 2 years) are linked to asthma development. Damage to the lung’s epithelial surfaces, especially in newborns, can trigger wound-healing responses that when epithelial recovery is incomplete can trigger chronic remodelling and result in the buildup of fibrotic lesions. As a consequence, cells become more vulnerable to apoptosis and exhibit so-called endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Elevated concentrations of saturated fatty acids disrupt ER protein homeostasis and are linked to ER stress and pulmonary fibrosis, while repair of damaged airway epithelia requires metabolic rewiring towards fatty acid oxidation. The PhD project addresses lipid metabolism rewiring as risk factors that contribute to severe virus-induced bronchiolitis and the development of chronic lung disease. Specifically, you will study RSV-induced mechanisms that contribute to the perturbation of the metabolic network of epithelial cells, to identify novel targets for intervention that promote lung repair.

You will write a PhD thesis (based on scientific publications) and follow courses at the Graduate school for Infection and Immunity.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic candidate with interest in (pediatric)immunology, hands-on lab work, and affinity for data analysis.

• You have a master's degree (or equivalent university degree) in immunology, biomedical science, or a related discipline.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential, as is the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• You have a meticulous working method. You are proactive, responsible, and flexible.
  You also enjoy close collaboration with other team members.
• You enjoy working in the lab, but also have affinity for data analysis.

If you are interested in this position, please respond to this vacancy with a motivation letter and your CV (including past experience, publication record if applicable, and at least two references). Selection procedure will be performed in January. We aim to start in Spring (March).

We look forward to hearing from you.

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 3.824,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

You will work in the laboratory of Dr. Boes (pediatric immunology), which is hosted in the Center of Translational Immunology (CTI) at the UMC Utrecht. The group of Boes is composed of an international team of researchers who are actively collaborating on projects to prevent the development of immune-mediated diseases. You will work together with an appointed PostDoc and collaborate with multiple scientists on our team. The CTI is a well-facilitated department with experts in all fields of immunology, and is embedded in the focus area ‘Infection and Immunology’ at the UMC Utrecht. We are structured to facilitate bench-to-bedside research. At the CTI, or within the UMCU/UU, we have a state-of-the-art flow cytometry, imaging, mass spectrometry, and RNA sequencing facilities.