PhD Position: Mucosal Immunology

Join our multidisciplinary team to explore the early-life microbiome and unlock its potential to maintain immune homeostasis and shape future healthcare strategies.

Your job
In early life, the microbiome matures concomitantly with the development of the immune and structural compartment of the airways. Disruption of this natural maturation process or during gestational has detrimental consequences for respiratory health. This research, led by Dr Olaf Perdijk, aims to identify the underlying (imprinting) mechanisms that underlie long-term health and prevent disease later in life. By understanding this biology, we aim to develop strategies to prevent lung diseases and maintain immune homeostasis.

You will be a key member of a multidisciplinary research team comprised of experts on cellular metabolism, epigenetics and immunology. You will utilise mouse models and human organoid culture systems to understand how the symbiotic interplay between the microbiome and respiratory immune system contributes to long-term health. You will receive training to become an independent researcher, able to integrate bio-informatics approaches that underlie these host-microbe interactions.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who aligns with several or all of the following criteria:

• a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biomedical sciences, Immunology or a related discipline;
• highly driven to answer fundamental biological questions;
• experience with advanced immunology techniques (e.g., flow cytometry, immune cell phenotyping), routine molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA and RNA isolation, quantitative Real-Time PCR), and standard tissue culture techniques OR proficient with bioinformatics analysis (i.e. single cell RNA sequencing, shotgun metagenomics or integration of -omics technologies);
• experience with disease models (i.e mouse models), including animal handling;
• strong communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team;
• proficiency in English, both spoken and written.

We offer:

• a position for four years;
• a fulltime working week and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The pharmacology division solves complex health issues in a multidisciplinary and sustainable way. By integrating pharmacological knowledge and skills we develop, understand and validate new concepts for the management of diseases through drug and/or nutritional interventions. Our research spans immunopharmacology, neuropharmacology, and experimental pharmacology, using advanced models, technologies and data synthesis.

The Mucosal Immunology team aims to understand the intricate mechanisms by which host-microbe interaction modulates systemic immune responses and disease susceptibility and to utilise the potential of microbes and metabolites as therapeutics.

For more information, please contact Dr Olaf Perdijk at o.i.perdijk@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.