PhD on artificial antigen-presenting cells

Are you excited to contribute to the development of innovative therapies? This project will allow you to develop artificial cells that are designed to interact and activate cells of the immune system in a biomimetic way.

Information
Your immune system is a highly effective defense mechanism that can identify and remove pathogens and dysfunctional cells from the body. In some cases, however, the efficiency is reduced and diseases can develop. One solution to the problem is to boost the immune system. A particularly versatile approach in this regard is the use of particles that display activating signals to T cells. Although research has been performed in this direction, a particle that mimics a living antigen presenting cell has not been effectively created, thereby limiting the therapeutic efficacy of this approach. Based on exciting preliminary results in our group you will explore, using a combination of protein engineering, synthetic biology and supramolecular chemistry techniques, possibilities to create biomimetic antigen presenting cells. You will build up these artificial cells and study how they interact with T cells, and how this leads to an improved therapeutic outcome.

You will be positioned in the Bio-organic Chemistry lab (https://vanhestlab.nl/) where we have ample experience in artificial cell research. Your project is embedded in the ERC Advanced grant program PRO-ARTIS, in which you will collaborate with colleagues to push the boundaries of artificial cell research forward.

Requirements:

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences, Biomedical Science or Biomedical Engineering
• A demonstrated knowledge of at least three of the following: protein engineering, synthetic biology, cell biology.
• Experience with supramolecular chemistry and/or soft matter is recommended
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Salary Benefits:

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

40 hours per week

De Zaale