PhD Position: Mucosal Immunology

Join our multidisciplinary team to explore the early-life microbiome and unlock its potential to maintain immune homeostasis and shape future healthcare strategies.

Your job
In early life, the microbiome matures concomitantly with the development of the immune and structural compartment of the airways. Disruption of this natural maturation process or during gestational has detrimental consequences for respiratory health. This research, led by Dr Olaf Perdijk, aims to identify the underlying (imprinting) mechanisms that underlie long-term health and prevent disease later in life. By understanding this biology, we aim to develop strategies to prevent lung diseases and maintain immune homeostasis.

You will be a key member of a multidisciplinary research team comprised of experts on cellular metabolism, epigenetics and immunology. You will utilise mouse models and human organoid culture systems to understand how the symbiotic interplay between the microbiome and respiratory immune system contributes to long-term health. You will receive training to become an independent researcher, able to integrate bio-informatics approaches that underlie these host-microbe interactions.

Requirements:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who aligns with several or all of the following criteria:

• a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biomedical sciences, Immunology or a related discipline;
• highly driven to answer fundamental biological questions;
• experience with advanced immunology techniques (e.g., flow cytometry, immune cell phenotyping), routine molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA and RNA isolation, quantitative Real-Time PCR), and standard tissue culture techniques OR proficient with bioinformatics analysis (i.e. single cell RNA sequencing, shotgun metagenomics or integration of -omics technologies);
• experience with disease models (i.e mouse models), including animal handling;
• strong communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team;
• proficiency in English, both spoken and written.

Salary Benefits:

We offer:

• a position for four years;
• a fulltime working week and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

36 - 40 hours per week

Universiteitsweg 99