PhD-researcher in Cellular Immunology (1,0 fte) Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Utrecht), 38 hours per week
Job description
The research position is part of a large research project of a Dutch consortium on the restoration of a failing cellular stress response in aging people and specific patient groups, funded by IOP-Genomics, SenterNovem. The initial project, Helping Health: boosting the cellular defence system is now in its fourth year, while a follow-up 4-year project (with the available position) soon will start.
The consortium is a collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Chemistry (Cellular Protein Chemistry, Prof I. Braakman) of Utrecht University, Biomolecular Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen (Dr N.H. Lubsen) and Radiation and Stress Cell Biology, University of Groningen (Prof H.H. Kampinga). Additionally, a group of 8 industrial partners is involved.
In eukaryotes both the heat shock response and the unfolded protein response provide cells normally with an increased set of chaperones (heat shock proteins, Hsps) either to refold damaged cellular proteins or to target them for degradation by the proteasome system or for degradation through chaperone mediated autophagy. The latter pathway (including presentation via MHC class II molecules) plays a role in the induction of regulatory CD4 T cells reactive towards Hsps resulting in suppression of chronic inflammatory diseases. Given the role of the stress system in immunity, a relative deficiency of the stress response likely predisposes to chronic
inflammatory disease.
At the division of Immunology we wish to elucidate the effect of enhancing the cellular stress response via induction of heat shock proteins within immunological relevant cell types and the subsequent effect on immune regulation and restoring immune homeostasis via regulatory T cell induction both in in vitro studies and in experimental models of chronic inflammation, such as arthritis and allergies.
Keywords: heat shock response, stress proteins, chronic inflammation, regulatory T cells.
Job description
The research position is part of a large research project of a Dutch consortium on the restoration of a failing cellular stress response in aging people and specific patient groups, funded by IOP-Genomics, SenterNovem. The initial project, Helping Health: boosting the cellular defence system is now in its fourth year, while a follow-up 4-year project (with the available position) soon will start.
The consortium is a collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Chemistry (Cellular Protein Chemistry, Prof I. Braakman) of Utrecht University, Biomolecular Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen (Dr N.H. Lubsen) and Radiation and Stress Cell Biology, University of Groningen (Prof H.H. Kampinga). Additionally, a group of 8 industrial partners is involved.
In eukaryotes both the heat shock response and the unfolded protein response provide cells normally with an increased set of chaperones (heat shock proteins, Hsps) either to refold damaged cellular proteins or to target them for degradation by the proteasome system or for degradation through chaperone mediated autophagy. The latter pathway (including presentation via MHC class II molecules) plays a role in the induction of regulatory CD4 T cells reactive towards Hsps resulting in suppression of chronic inflammatory diseases. Given the role of the stress system in immunity, a relative deficiency of the stress response likely predisposes to chronic
inflammatory disease.
At the division of Immunology we wish to elucidate the effect of enhancing the cellular stress response via induction of heat shock proteins within immunological relevant cell types and the subsequent effect on immune regulation and restoring immune homeostasis via regulatory T cell induction both in in vitro studies and in experimental models of chronic inflammation, such as arthritis and allergies.
Keywords: heat shock response, stress proteins, chronic inflammation, regulatory T cells.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate MSc degree in biology, biomedical sciences or veterinary medicine. We seek a motivated candidate preferably with experience in immunology and cell culture. Animal experimentation is part of this project.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Health)
Required education/skills:University Graduate MSc degree in biology, biomedical sciences or veterinary medicine. We seek a motivated candidate preferably with experience in immunology and cell culture. Animal experimentation is part of this project.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Health)
Organization
Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
The division of Immunology, department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, focuses on the initiation and regulation of antigen-specific immune responses, looking at fundamental aspects with applications in veterinary and human medicine.
We are looking for a: PhD-researcher in Cellular Immunology
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2502
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1 year with the perspective of prolongation with another 3 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer a full time appointment of one year with the perspective of prolongation with another 3 years. The appointment should lead to a dissertation. The salary will range from € 1,956. - (first year) before tax, up to a maximum of € 2,502.- (final year) per month (salary scale "P" Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities). Secondary benefits, based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities are excellent in general and include e.g. a pension scheme, flexible employment conditions and salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 3% per year.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr R. van der Zee
Telephone number: (030) 253 3561
E-mail address: R.vanderzee@uu.nl
Or Dr F. Broere
Telephone number: (030) 253 4330
E-mail address: F.Broere@uu.nl
Application
You can apply for this job before 04-01-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
the Personnel Department
Mr.A.H. Bloemers
Yalelaan 1
3584 CL Utrecht
the Netherlands
E-mail:
vacatures1@vet.uu.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 70834.
<http://www.jobs.ac.uk/clients/2219>
