"PhD position in Translational Chemical Immunology"

The Department of Chemical Biology and Immunology (CBI) of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry is looking for a PhD-candidate to study autoantigen-specific cell therapies employing synthetic chimeric autoantigen-receptors (sCAARs). Antigen-specific immunotherapies offer great promise as potentially curative interventions in autoimmune conditions. We aim to push the current limit of cellular therapies towards precise cellular immunotherapy using synthetic ligands that are designed to target autoreactive B cells specific to autoantigens that cannot be cellularly expressed as CAARs. In this project, funded by the ZonMW Open Competition, synthetic chemists team up with immunologists from the Leiden University Medical Centre and computational scientists from the TU Delft to develop the next generation of synthetic CAAR cell therapy for serious autoimmune conditions. The project is a shared position between the CBI-department (Leiden University) and the haematology- and experimental rheumatology departments of the Leiden University Medical Centre and candidates are trained at both research institutes. We are therefore looking for a highly motivated candidate that is interested in translational chemical immunology research. The candidate will be synthesizing detectable targeting ligands for engineered immune cells and image and quantify the target cell engagement and efficiency. The project is highly multidisciplinary and involves aspects of synthetic organic chemistry as well as immunology and cell biology research. We are looking for someone with: a Master of Science or equivalent degree in the field of chemical biology, chemistry, or related discipline in which chemistry and biology have been combined; independent in performing synthetic organic chemistry; experience with (immune) cells, microscopy imaging methods, and/or cell-based assays is highly preferred; high intrinsic motivation for multidisciplinary and translational research; good communication skills. The project will be a close collaboration with researchers in various disciplines. Good informal and formal research communication are therefore essential for a successful project conclusion. The position starts by the 1st of January, but other start dates are negotiable. We offer a position for 12 months and upon satisfactory performance to be extended for three more years. The salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month, depending on experience (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). For more information, please contact Kim Bonger, professor in chemical biology, at k.m.bonger@lic.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until October 15th.