PHD Stipend in development of antibodies as tools for combating viral infections and beyond (18-22067)

PHD Stipend in development of antibodies as tools for combating viral infections and beyond (18-22067)

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a PhD stipend is available within the doctoral programme Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering and Sino-Danish College (SDC), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 1 September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 3 years. The Department consists of two sections with research and teaching in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Technology and Biology. Place of employment of the position is Section for Bioscience and Engineering in Aalborg with a placement of 9 months in China. The section consists of 90 people of which about 30 are associate- and full professors. The section conducts internationally competitive research on various topics within Biology and Biotechnology and publishes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications annually.

Job description

The focus of the PhD project will be to create a novel therapeutic concept where recombinant antibodies are fused to small protein/peptide domains to mediate multimerization in serum. When antibodies recognize their targets on e.g. a virus, the local concentration of antibodies increases resulting in an avidity effect. Robust and high affinity recombinant antibodies has become a cornerstone of therapeutic drug development. However, for infectious inhibitory antibodies is required to bind with extraordinary affinity or be administered at high dosage, to ensure full neutralization of the infectious agent. Often loss of binding strength is observed when vira is altered by mutations.

The position is conducted under the framework of the Sino-Danish College and in collaboration with Professor Lishan Yao, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Qingdao, China and the PhD student is expected to spend 9 months in China.

Your key tasks as a PhD student are:

• Performing an independent research project under supervision
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS-points
• Participating in active research environments including research stays in China
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge, especially withing the SDC program.
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Applicants must have a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent education. Prior experience with SDC program is an advantage. The candidate should have insight into protein chemistry and relevant analytical techniques. As the position is part of a research project, the candidate should also show good interpersonal and communication skills and team spirit to solve the problems together with the different stakeholders.

The application must contain:

• Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position
• Project description, which is required for technical reasons – in this case, where you apply for a specific project, you may upload a copy of the project description above
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records
• Other relevant information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

We are a dynamic workplace with high professionalism and efficiency, a good working environment and with a focus on work-life balance. We strive for a culture with collaboration that promotes openness and curiosity towards new initiatives and ideas and with a constructive approach to problem solving. As an employee at the department, you will be part of an international research environment, with a focus on innovation, knowledge sharing and excellency as well as interdisciplinary collaborations. 
For further information about the scientific aspects of the stipend, please contact Associate Professor Peter Kristensen, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, phone: +4520369097, email: [email protected].

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research solves important topics for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates and PhDs.

 At the department, we have high-profile research groups and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic scientific research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department is divided into two sections: Section for Bioscience and Engineering and Section for Chemical Science and Engineering, as well as one administration. Both sections have activities on both Aalborg and Esbjerg campuses. The day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the deputy heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.
For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: [email protected] ,  phone: +45 9940 7408.
For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science: www.phd.engineering.aau.dk  

The application is only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.
AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Agreement

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 28 June 2019 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

Vacancy number

18-22067

Deadline

18/08/2022

Apply online
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Online application - some good advice

Aalborg University uses an electronic recruitment system for receiving applications. Towards the bottom in the respective job advertisement you will find a link, which you need to use when applying for the position. Before uploading your application it is important that you have all relevant documentation ready in a Word or PDF format, as you need to upload all material at the same time. You cannot leave the application and return to it a couple of hours later without having to start over.

The system does not support ZIP or images files. Filenames can only contain numbers and letters, and each document must take up no more than 20 MB.
If you experience technical problems, we encourage you to try again. If the technical problems, contrary to expectation, cannot be solved, please contact the member of staff listed as the contact person in the job advertisement.