Assistant professor Arbovirology

The position is embedded in an EU-funded consortium that studies virus-host interactions of emerging arboviruses. You will build from model systems developed in the department, specific for studying virus-host interactions along the infection- and neuro-invasion pathways. Our primary focus will be on orthoflaviviruses, with West Nile virus (WNV) as our model pathogen, alongside Usutu virus (USUV), a related zoonotic virus that is widespread across Europe, but considered to be less virulent for humans, for reasons that remain to be understood.

REFINE will undertake comparative studies to ensure the versatility of the preclinical target identification platform we develop, facilitating its adaptation not only to other viruses within the Orthoflavivirus genus, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), but also to other emergent viral threats.

Your role will be to further develop the current models, with the aim to unravel the detailed molecular mechanisms for the entry pathway(s), building from initial observations of differences in behaviour between West Nile and Usutu virus.

We are looking for a skilled scientist with a passion for arbovirology, and proven expertise in working with in vitro models and in molecular virological aspects, preferably on flaviviruses. Given the nature of the project, we are looking for persons with sufficient experience to be able to take responsibility for part of the REFINE project, while collaborating with others involved both in the department and in the other institutions involved in REFINE. Depending on expertise, there is potential for assistant professor position, which comes with the expectation of seeking additional funding during the course of the appointment.

You will work in the Public Health Virology working group headed by professor Koopmans, in close collaboration with other members of our team involved in REFINE. Other scientists involved are dr. Reina Sikkema, who leads the arbovirus ecology group, dr. Bart Haagmans, who specialises in virus-host receptor interactions, dr. Debby van Riel, who is specialised in impact of (emerging) viral infections on the brain and brain function, and dr. van Nierop who is specialised in unravelling antibody-virus-host interactions.

The Viroscience department is a large research organisation with around 180 fte working on viral infections. Our department is multidisciplinary with expertise ranging from basic virology to public health focussed work and diagnostic services nationally and internationally. While the research is organised along working groups, we encourage cross-working group discussions and collaboration. In addition, the REFINE consortium has collaborators in Germany, Finland, Australia and Italy, and we do foresee close collaborations with colleagues in these countries.