PhD Position in Vaccine Adjuvant Research - SSI Center
The Department of Infectious Disease Immunology focuses on research and development of next-generation vaccines and diagnostic tools, primarily within tuberculosis (TB), chlamydia, and vaccine adjuvants. The Department conducts both basic and translational research and is highly rated internationally. As part of the SSI Center for Vaccine Research, we can efficiently move products from research into clinical trials. We collaborate closely with a large number of institutions and are externally funded by e.g. the National Institutes of Health, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, European Commission and the Danish Research Council. The Vaccine Adjuvant group aim at developing novel adjuvant formulations designed to induce the immunological profiles required for the specific diseases. You will be part of The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) as part of the group working on design of novel adjuvants for induction of mucosal immune responses
More information can be found: Center for Vaccine Research (https://en.ssi.dk/research/center-for-vaccine-research/center-for-vaccine-research/vaccine-adjuvant-research)
Qualifications
Key skills for formulating and testing novel adjuvants, involve a blend of expertise in pharmaceutical formulation and in vitro and in vivo immunological testing. We are searching for experts able to formulate and characterize immunostimulators in different cell cultures, including reporter cell lines and in vivo, with a focus to develop novel adjuvants eliciting airway immunity.
Key qualifications
- Dynamic, independent, creative and goal orientated with a strong immunological and pharmaceutical background
- Strong technical background in immunological methods including ELISA, Flow Cytometry and qPCR
- Knowledge and hands-on experience within in vitro and in vivo models of immunology
- Experience with adjuvant formulation
- Capable of handling a multifaceted project with many stakeholders and collaborators
The project
The aim of the PhD project is to establish screening systems for novel adjuvants capable of eliciting airway immune responses. This will entail work on nasal tissue primary cells or organoids, as well as reporter cell lines. Work will further establish proof-of-concept in vivo for induction of local mucosal immune responses in the upper airways.
Research tasks include:
- Establish nasal tissue primary cells and reporter lines
- Screen immunostimulators for immunostimulator activation
- Formulate and evaluate novel immunostimulators
- Study physicochemical properties of different delivery systems
- Investigate target cells and activation profile after intranasal delivery of novel adjuvant systems
- Study basic cellular and humoral local and systemic immune responses after intranasal administration of adjuvanted protein vaccines
Terms of employment
The employment is of 3 years duration.
The employment will be in accordance with the terms of the collective agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC-overenskomsten) and the Danish Ministry of Taxation’s circular concerning the job structure for scientific staff working with research at sector research institutions (Stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale med forskningsopgaver ved sektorforskningsinstitutioner).
Your research qualifications will be assessed by a scientific assessment committee in accordance with the current Danish rules for employment of scientific staff working with research at sector research institutions in Denmark. In order to assess the research qualifications, a list of publications and 2-3 scientific works must be submitted.
Contact
For further details and informal enquiries please contact Head of Section at +45 3268 8561/shannonconniegryangakpwilliam19@solis.dkcoleman-woods.dkssi.dk.
Are you interested?
Click on “Apply” and send us your application, Curriculum Vitae and a copy of relevant diplomas.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 36 and 37.