PhD Candidate in Virology and Vaccine Development

26 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Medical sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

20 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

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

We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated PhD candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research on the avian coronavirus IBV and vaccine development. You will be a part of a multidisciplinary team focused on understanding immune protection against this viral pathogen in chickens and designing effective vaccines to safeguard poultry health.

Your job
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, causing substantial economic losses. The current vaccination strategies involve live attenuated virus primos and inactivated boosters, but the evolving serotypes of IBV necessitate constant surveillance and development of new vaccines. This project aims to investigate the virological and immunological parameters crucial for eliciting broad, robust, and long-lasting protective immunity against IBV. To this end, you will utilise advanced techniques in structure-based vaccine design and viral vector platform technologies.

The reponsibilities include:

• design and conduct the experimental work for this research project;
• collaborate with a postdoctoral researcher and an industry partner to obtain results;
• utilise structure-based vaccine design to create antigens for eliciting cross-reactive antibody responses against IBV;
• work with viral vector platforms to express designed IBV antigens and optimise immune responses;
• development of new technologies for field serosurveillance of IBV infections and antigenic drift;
• write high quality publications of research findings in scientific journals.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for a colleague who:

• holds a Master's degree in virology, immunology, or a related field;
• demonstrates hands-on and proven experience in molecular (cell) biology - experience in molecular virology, structure-based antigen design, and viral vector platforms, or related fields, is a plus;
• showcases proven English skills in both speaking and writing;
• communicates clearly and effectively, possessing the ability to work collaboratively in a research team.

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer:

• a position for four years;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 2.770,- and € 3.539,- in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 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 .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a motivation letter, via the ‘apply now’ button. In your motivation letter please explicitly indicate what attracts you in this position and your match with the desired experience we are looking for. Applications without this personal information will not be taken into account.

Additional comments

For more information, please contact Berend Jan Bosch via [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/337027/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CL

Street

Yalelaan 1

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/337027/phd-candidate-in-virology-and-vaccin…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED