Ph.D. position in Immunology/Cancer Immunotherapy (Beltra lab)

27 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Basel

Research Field

Biological sciences » Other
Medical sciences » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Switzerland

Application Deadline

24 Mar 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint effort between the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientists to advance our understanding of health and disease and to develop pioneering therapies benefiting the lives of patients in areas of unmet need. With more than 70 research groups and 900 employees, the Department of Biomedicine is the largest department at the University. We are located in the heart of Basel across 6 different locations. Be part of our future!
 
The research group led by Dr. Prof. Beltra is currently seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student with a strong interest in conducting high level research in the fields of T-cell immunobiology and cancer immunotherapy. This position will be based in the Department of Biomedicine (https://biomedizin.unibas.ch/en/ ) in Basel, Switzerland - one of the world's leading locations for life sciences, home to several companies and institutions.
 
Prof. Beltra's group is studying the factors governing T-cell differentiation programs in settings of viral infections and cancers. Notably, we are particularly interested in identifying new pathways regulating the process of CD8 T cell exhaustion, an hypofunctional program acquired by CD8 T cells exposed to persistent inflammation and antigenic stimulation. Indeed, CD8 T cell exhaustion represents a central limitation to current anti-cancer immunotherapies and strategies aiming at reversing this process are still lacking. By exploring the intimate mechanisms regulating CD8 T cell exhaustion, our group aims to identify innovative opportunities to reverse this process and unleash the full potential of current cancer immunotherapies (e.g. PD-1-based therapy). To this end, we have developed relevant murine models for the study of CD8 T cell-exhaustion and are leveraging cutting-edge technologies (single cell omics, ATACseq) and innovative immunological and genetic perturbation tools (Retroviruses, CRISPR), to identify and characterize new pathways of interest for a better therapeutic manipulation of exhausted CD8 T cells. Collectively, our group aims to lay the foundation for advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapies.   

• Planning, designing, and executing experiments including experiments involving mice.
• Analyzing, structuring, and presenting data.
• Handling mouse colonies and developing original transgenic mouse strains.
• Participating in common lab tasks.
• Applying for Ph.D. fellowships and other grants.
• Preparation of scientific reports, meetings, and journal articles.
• Communicating science at local and international meetings.

• M.Sc. in Immunology, cancer immunobiology, biomedical science, genetics or related fields.
• Strong interests in immunology, cancer immunobiology and/or cancer immunotherapy.
• Proficient with basic lab techniques (cell culture, working in sterile conditions).
• Previous experience in flow cytometry, immunological techniques, and mouse work (handling, injections, tissue harvest).
• Knowledge in molecular biology and sequencing data analysis is considered a plus.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Fluency in French or English - required.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a young and dynamic group conducting high-level research in immunology. The candidate will be immersed in a vibrant cross-disciplinary and collaborative environment with opportunities for further developing and growing    his/her/their scientific interests. Within a supportive and integrative environment, the candidate will benefit from internal trainings in state-of-the-arts immunological techniques (high dimensional flow cytometry), next generation epigenomic approaches (scRNAseq, ATACseq), and access to the large spectrum of technological platforms available at the Department of Biomedicine. Careful mentorship and respect for human values, including diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, are driving forces of our group, ensuring an ideal environment for the candidate to develop, succeed, and plan the next steps of their career.

Application

Interested candidates should submit their application only the link to submit the following documents: CV, brief description of past accomplishments and interests (1 page max) and contact information for at least 1 reference who can provide a letter of recommendation upon request.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Medical sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Basel

Country

Switzerland

City

Basel

Postal Code

CH-4003

Street

Petersplatz 1

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/university-of-basel/2024/phd-position-in-immun…

Contact

City

Basel

Website

https://www.unibas.ch/en.html

Postal Code

CH-4003

STATUS: EXPIRED