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IgG4-TREAT R4: New animal models for studying IgG4 and IgG4-AID (MSCA Doctoral Network)

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27 Oct 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
IgG4-TREAT (Leiden University Medical Center)
Research Field
Biological sciences
Medical sciences
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Netherlands
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
36
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Horizon Europe - MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101119457
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

Short overview of the program:

IgG4-TREAT consortium is looking for highly motivated and talented PhD students to contribute to groundbreaking research in the field of IgG4-autoimmune diseases (IgG4-AID). The PhD researchers will have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive training programme in academic and industry setup. Next to their transferable skills training, the IgG4-TREAT PhD students will pursue 10 individual, multidisciplinary research projects (organised into four scientific work packages) aimed to advance our understanding of IgG4-AID. 

PhD candidates will become part of a network of 9 host laboratories and 7 associated partners from 7 different European countries. Funding for these projects has been provided by the EU under the competitive MSCA Doctoral Networks 2022 program (Grant Agreement No. 101119457). For more information on IgG4-TREAT visit our website: https://www.igg4-treat.eu/.

Project R4:New animal models for studying IgG4 and IgG4-AID (part of WP4)

Hosting lab + location:Translational Neuroimmunology Lab led by Dr. Maartje G. Huijbers at Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands

Research project description:

In vivo studies toward IgG4 function and its role in disease are limited because of the lack of a good homolog in mice. In this project, we aim to develop a novel mouse modelexpressing a humanized version of IgG4. We will base the design of this model on in vitro experiments testing mouse IgG and modifying it with human IgG4 features. The mouse model will next be used to study the effect of immunizing with IgG4-autoimmune eliciting antigens and the ability of an IgG4-specific treatment to alleviate disease development in these animals. The ultimate ambition of this project is to develop a novel humanized IgG4 mouse model and use it to provide proof of concept for this novel IgG4-targeted therapy.

Methods used in the project: Animal work,ELISA, CRISPR-Cas genetic modification, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Passive transfer mouse model, Western blotting, cell culture, Antibody design, Affinity chromatography, recombinant antibody production

Project duration: 48 months* (36h/week)

*In The Netherlands a PhD project takes at least 4 years, therefore the project will continue one year beyond the duration of the consortium.

Hosting lab description:

The project will be executed in the Translational Neuroimmunology lab led by Dr. Maartje G. Huijbers at Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands. The lab of Dr. Huijbers is an expert in neuromuscular autoimmune disease with a special interest in the IgG4-AID MuSK myasthenia gravis. They have several in vitro and in vivo models developed to study these diseases including myotube cultures, iPSC-based NMJs, immune cell cultures, recombinant antibody technology and passive transfer models. Please check more details on Huijbers lab website.

Foreseen mobility: Secondments are planned in:

Where to apply

Website
https://www.igg4-treat.eu/apply/

Requirements

Research Field
Biological sciences
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Medical sciences
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
  • MSc degree or equivalent in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Immunology or related fields
  • English language proficiency is required
  • Animal experimental work experience and a valid certificate for working with experimental animals are favored
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

As PhD projects in the Netherlands (NL) are required to last 4 years, research groups in the NL guarantee funding for 48 months. The funding will include:

  • a monthly living allowance of 3,400 EUR/month (gross salary will be adjusted through the application of a country correction coefficient for the country in which the researcher is recruited; as indicated in Table 1 of the MSCA Work Programme)
  • a monthly mobility allowance of 600 EUR/month;
  • a monthly family allowance (if applicable), of 660 EUR/month.

Allowances are gross amounts, which means that all compulsory social security contributions, direct taxes, and any other compulsory deductions under national legislation will be deducted from these amounts.

Eligibility criteria
  • Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the starting date of the PhD (earliest starting date: 31/03/2024) (MSCA Mobility Rule).
  • At the time of the deadline, applicants must not be in possession of a doctoral degree or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis awaiting formal notification.
  • At the time of enrolment, applicants must be eligible for enrolment for PhD studies at the hosting institution.
Selection process

How to apply:

Interested candidates can find more information on the consortium website. Candidates can apply for up to three positions and should indicate their preferences in the application form. To apply, please send the following application documents as a single PDF file to contact@igg4-treat.eu. As the subject of your email, please use IgG4-TREAT application-your last name.

  • Application Form (available for download on the consortium website https://www.igg4-treat.eu/apply)
  • CV (in Europass or ORCID format) including any publications, prizes/grants obtained, and international experience. The candidates are asked to highlight any extra-professional activities to measure leadership, creativity, communication abilities, etc. as well as their hobbies.
  • Motivation letter: 1 page highlighting the main expertise of the applicant, career plans and motivations for the program.
  • Copy of transcripts and diploma(s) for the obtained degree(s). If the degree is imminent, but not yet obtained, a letter from the University delivering the degree must be included.
  • Contact details (e-mail address and phone number) to possible referees - direct research supervisor(s) at current (or last) university at the time of enrolment.
  • Copy of an ID or Passport

All documents need to be provided in English. We aim for a maximum level of inclusiveness in our recruitment, and to reduce the risk of any bias, we ask that candidates focus only on their academic qualifications and make sure that no information on biological sex, gender identity, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is included in the application documents (with the exception of the application form).

Recruitment procedure:

The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based, and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. All the network institutions are equal opportunity employers and seek a workforce diverse in age, culture, nationality and gender.

The application process will start in October 2023. The deadline for applications is 31/01/2024. The individual projects are set to start between 31/03/2024 and 01/09/2024.

The selection process will consist of several steps. First, we will check if the applications are complete and if the applicants fulfill the eligibility criteria. Then, each eligible application will be evaluated by the prospective supervisors, according to project preferences indicated by the applicant. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the next steps of the application process including several rounds of online interviews with prospective supervisors and other supervisors from the network. Successful candidates will be informed within a few weeks after the interviews.

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Translational Neuroimmunology Lab, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
City
Leiden
Postal Code
2333
Street
Einthovenweg 20
Geofield

Contact

City
Leiden
Website
Street
Einthovenweg 20
Postal Code
2333
E-Mail
contact@igg4-treat.eu

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