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.
The consortium invites applications for 10 individual, multidisciplinary research projects aimed to advance our understanding of IgG4-AID. Funding for these projects has been provided by the EU under the competitive MSCA Doctoral Networks 2022 program.
The deadline for applications is set for 31/01/2024. The individual projects are set to start between 31/03/2024 and 01/09/2024.
The applicants are required to meet the eligibility criteria of the MSCA Doctoral Networks Program. The successful candidates will receive funding for 36 months (or 48 months if based in the Netherlands) and will become part of a vibrant network of 9 host laboratories with 7 associated partners from 7 European countries.
Eligibility criteria
The MSCA Doctoral Networks program requirements:
- MSCA Mobility Rule: 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).
- Doctoral Candidate Definition: At the time of recruitment, the applicants must not be in possession of a doctoral degree or have successfully defended a doctoral thesis awaiting formal notification.
- In addition, applicants must be eligible for enrolment for PhD studies at the hosting institution.
Benefits:
The funding is guaranteed for 36 months* and 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.
*As PhD projects in the Netherlands (NL) are required to last 4 years, research groups in the NL guarantee funding for 48 months.
How to apply?
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. The deadline for applications is 31/01/2024. The individual projects are set to start between 31/03/2024 and 01/09/2024.
As the subject of your email, please use IgG4-TREAT application-your last name.
- Application Form - download here: DOWNLOAD application_form_IgG4_treat.docx
- 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).
Available Positions
- Serological, histological, cellular and genetic characteristics of the IgG4 immune response
- Identification of specific serum biomarkers and immune cell dysregulation commonly associated with IgG4 autoimmune diseases
- Identification of genetic predisposition and transcriptional factors involved in isotype-switching of IgG4-AID B-cell clones
- New animal models for studying IgG4 and IgG4-AID
- Investigation of potential IgG4 regulators in vivo and in vitro
- Characterization of early IgG4 responses
- Molecular characteristics of IgG4 contributing to disease mechanism
- In vivo study of pathogenic mechanisms of IgG4-AID
- Structural and functional characteristics of IgG4 autoantibodies
- Development of a novel IgG4-specific immunoadsorption therapy for commercial exploitation
Deadline for applications: 31/01/2024