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IgG4-TREAT R6: Characterization of early IgG4 responses (MSCA Doctoral Network)

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27 Oct 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
IgG4-TREAT (Sanquin)
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 R6: Characterization of early IgG4 responses

Host Lab: The group of Associate Prof. Theo Rispens, Sanquin, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Research project description:

In this project, the central aim is to better characterize IgG4 responsesboth serologically and cellularly, starting at the onset of the immune response. We hope to identify key early events and unravel immunological processes that are instrumental in the development of IgG4 responses. As a model system for IgG4-AID we will do most of these analyses in patients treated with different biologics (anti-TNF) that often develop a strongly IgG4-skewed anti-drug Ab response. This enables monitoring all early events leading towards an IgG4-dominated immune response (which develops slowly over time). Prospective sampling of patient material is already ongoing. The expected outcome of this project is molecular insight into pathways that control IgG4 switch (in particular precursor B cells and their phenotypes), and insight into the dynamics of IgG4-associated features such as enhanced Fab glycosylation (cause or consequence).

Methods used in the project: Next-generation sequencing, Luminex assay, mass cytometry, scRNA-seq, Mass spectrometry, Glycan analysis, GWAS.

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:

At Sanquin, we have a long-standing interest in the immunobiology of IgG4 antibodies. Decades of research have contributed to uncovering the unique traits of IgG4 antibodies, including their ability of Fab arm exchange and the distinctive dynamics of IgG4 responses. We focus on elucidating the role of IgG4 in a clinical context, in particular in autoimmune diseases. We explore the molecular characteristics underlying IgG4's unique properties. Furthermore, we study the mechanistic details shaping the IgG4-switched B cell response. The research is embedded within the antibody structure & function research group. More on Theo Rispens Research Group can be found here.  

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
  • interest in antibody structure, antibody function and general immunology
  • interest both in basic research as well as in its clinical application
  • enthusiastic, motivated and ambitious
  • Master’s degree in Biomedical or Biopharmaceutical Sciences, or equivalent education
  • strong communicational skills/team player
  • good command of written and spoken English (C1)
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
Sanquin, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
City
Amsterdam
Postal Code
1066
Street
Plesmanlaan 125
Geofield

Contact

City
Amsterdam
Website
Street
Plesmanlaan 125
Postal Code
1066
E-Mail
contact@igg4-treat.eu

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