Offer: PhD studentship - Experimental and Translational Immunology group

Offer: PhD studentship

Experimental and Translational Immunology group
at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology in Gdansk, Poland

Experimental and Translational Immunology group (DGO lab, www.dgo.ug.edu.pl) is looking for a talented and passionate individual to join an exciting Sonata BIS project combining immunology with nanoengineering, carried out in collaboration with the Małopolska Centre for Biotechnology, University of Hong Kong and University of Oxford.

Project: Smart antigen provision for efficient induction of allergen tolerance
Allergies occur when the immune system interprets a harmless antigen as a serious threat (e.g. pathogen invasion). The central role during the process is played by T lymphocytes, cells that can accurately identify an antigen and carry out a targeted response against it, resulting in a so-called “immune memory”. If the allergen is mistakenly recognized, these cells become hyper-responsive, which wind the spiral of inflammation and contributes to the production of antibodies against the allergen. Currently, specific immunotherapy (desensitization) is the only causative treatment available, working by eliminating T-cell hypersensitivity to allergens and forcing them into a state of so-called tolerance. Within this project we plan to develop a new nanoparticle-based method of supplying allergens during desensitisation to allow delivery of allergens to direct the reactivity of these cells in a very targeted way to efficiently produce immunological tolerance.

Details of employment:

Full-time
Starting date: October 2021
Initial stipend: ca. 3,350 (gross), growing to ca. 5,150 PLN/month (depending on evaluation after two years)

Responsibilities:

1. Designing, planning, and carrying out experimental work under the supervision of Principal Investigator, maintaining regular and complete research notes
2. Scientific initiative and contribution through regular reporting and publishing, as well as presenting at group meetings, national and international conferences
3. Providing help and supervision to members of the group as required
4. Contribution to the efficient functioning of the lab including administrative and organizational tasks

Requirements:

1. M.Sc. in molecular biology, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, medical biology or similar
2. Interest in nanomedicine and biomedical applications
3. Passionate, ambitious, and motivated for scientific development
4. Ability to work independently, in a team and in collaborative projects
5. Very good English language skills (written and oral) as required for scientific environment              

Desirable:

1. Proven hands-on experience in tissue culture
2. Hands-on experience in immunological assays

We offer:

1. The opportunity to contribute to the exciting and rapidly developing research in immunology and biomedical nanotechnology in collaboration with world-leading scientists
2. Excellent opportunity to extend and enrich personal scientific career track and acquiring multidisciplinary skills, including access to the cutting-edge equipment.
3. Opportunity to work in one of the best research institutions in Poland
4. Supportive environment and opportunity to realize research ambitions
5. Personal development of transferable skills

Required documents:

1. CV (in English) documenting achievements, scientific degrees, publications, technical skills, research stays and other relevant experience
2. Document confirming the scientific degree
3. Cover letter (in English) documenting motivation and relevant experience of the candidate
4. Details of at least two individuals willing to provide references for the candidate

Deadline for submitting documents: 23^rd August, 2021 (interviews 30^th August 2021)

Applications and informal enquires: danuta.gutowska-owsiak[at]ug.edu.pl; more details: www.dgo.ug.edu.pl

Please include in your application: “I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed for the purposes of the recruitment process under the Personal Data Protection Act as of 29 August 1997, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2016, item 922 as amended.”