Career - Offer
2 Postdoc Positions within the Laboratory for Adaptive Immunity
Type of job: full-time
Application Number TV 07-12
The positions:
We are looking for two highly motivated postdocs with a strong background in immunology. The candidates will be exploring the biology of virus-specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral tissues.
In the first project, we will examine circulating versus tissue-residing virus-specific CD8+ T cells in humans. We have found that T cells that are located in tissues are phenotypically and functionally distinct from cells that are located in peripheral blood. We will determine the clonal composition of the different T cell compartments and define the basis for their molecular imprinting. The results of this project will provide a better understanding of human immunity at the tissue level, which will help to rationally improve procedures for adoptive T cell therapy.
In the second project, we will investigate in both mice and men how chronic viral infections and the ensuing pool of effector CD8 T cells can influence the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the bone marrow. This interaction could very well have functional consequences for the formation of new blood cells, which may provide an explanation for the observed changes in blood cell homeostasis during chronic viral infections. This approach will enhance our understanding of the crosstalk that exists between the hematopoietic and the activated immune system. Since T cells play an important, but thus far poorly understood role in the engraftment of HSCs following bone marrow transplantation, we anticipate that the results obtained in this study will also elucidate the underlying mechanism by which T cells support engraftment, which will benefit future HSC transplantations.
These projects are independent research projects, which both address fundamental research questions in T cell biology that can have significant clinical importance.
The department:
Sanquin Research performs basic, applied and clinical research in the field of blood and blood transfusion and is closely linked to the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. At the Laboratory for Adaptive Immunity, which is part of the Department of Hematopoiesis, we investigate the mechanism by which the immune system generates effector T cells that are required for defense against invading pathogens. We also examine the influence of these effector T cells on the formation of new blood cells in the bone marrow. The purpose of this research is to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the immune system regulates blood cell formation during infections. Knowledge obtained from these fundamental research lines will provide insight into the consequences of (chronic) inflammation, such as the development of anemia. Moreover, this information can also be applied for the development of new therapies and the improvement of the cell transfusion products that Sanquin generates for clinical applications.
We ask for:
Two highly motivated candidates with a strong interest in cellular immunology;
A PhD in immunology; having experience with conducting animal experiments is an advantage (for the 2nd project);
Fluent knowledge of the English language, due to the international character of our research team.
We offer:
A challenging research position in a multidisciplinary and motivated research team;
Salary and conditions are conform CAO Sanquin;
Working hours are fixed by mutual agreement;
A temporary appointment for a period of 3 years;
A 36-hour week;
7,83% year-end;
By full-time employment 201 vacation hours;
Reimbursement of travel expenses.
More information:
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Martijn A. Nolte, head of the Laboratory for Adaptive Immunity at the department of Hematopoiesis: Tel. +31 (0)20-5121393, e-mail m.nolte@sanquin.nl, or visit our website www.hep.sanquin.nl.
Please return your letter of application, including a curriculum vitae and reference, to application number TV 07-12, preferably digitally via the online application form at www.sanquin.nl, via e-mail to werk@sanquin.nl or by post to:
Sanquin HRM Plesmanlaan
Attn. Mrs. M. Uijlings
P.O. Box 9190
1006 AD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Contact:
Dr. Martijn A. Nolte
E-mail:
m.nolte@sanquin.nl
Telephone:
+31 (0)20-5121393
Updated: 19.3.2012
