PhD student Immunology & Virology

Umcg; Groningen; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Umcg in Groningen is seeking an enthusiastic researcher to study how host biology shapes susceptibility to infectious disease, focusing on virology and immunology in adipose tissue and influenza models. The role combines hands-on lab work with data integration and collaboration across an international team.

The successful candidate will design experiments, analyze immune responses, and present findings at conferences and in journals, with opportunities to train in BSL-3 techniques and work

Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in biomedical sciences, biomolecular sciences or related discipline.
• Strong background in virology, immunology or closely related field.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, immunological assays, flow cytometry and/or virological methods, preferably at BSL-2.
• Willingness to be trained for and to work with respiratory viruses at BSL-3.
• Ability to plan, perform, critically evaluate and troubleshoot experiments.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary, international team.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments using human adipose tissue and experimental influenza infection models.
• Investigate viral infection and replication in adipose tissue from individuals with different metabolic profiles.
• Characterise local immune and inflammatory responses using molecular, cellular and immunological techniques, and compare across metabolic health status and adipose-tissue location.
• Integrate virological, immunological and metabolic data to identify mechanisms of susceptibility or resilience to severe infection.
• Collaborate closely with researchers and clinicians across the team.
• Present findings at national and international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Virology

Immunology

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Education

Master's degree in biomedical sciences or related

Tools

Flow cytometer

BSL-3 training

Job description

• Design and conduct experiments using human adipose tissue and experimental influenza infection models.
• Investigate viral infection and replication in adipose tissue from individuals with different metabolic profiles.
• Characterise local immune and inflammatory responses using molecular, cellular and immunological techniques, and compare them across metabolic health status and adipose-tissue location.
• Integrate virological, immunological and metabolic data to identify mechanisms of susceptibility or resilience to severe infection.
• Collaborate closely with researchers and clinicians across the team.
• Present your findings at national and international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

You are an enthusiastic, curious researcher with a strong interest in virology and immunology and in how host biology shapes susceptibility to infectious disease. You enjoy hands-on laboratory work, reading scientific literature, are eager to develop new skills, and thrive in an international, collaborative setting. A good sense of humour will help you feel at home in our team.

You also bring:

• a Master's degree (or equivalent) in biomedical sciences, biomolecular sciences or a related discipline, candidates close to completing their degree are encouraged to apply;
• a strong background in virology, immunology or a closely related field;
• experience with relevant laboratory techniques such as mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, immunological assays, flow cytometry and/or virological methods, preferably at BSL-2 level;
• a willingness to be trained for and to work with respiratory viruses at Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3);
• the ability to plan, perform, critically evaluate and troubleshoot experiments;
• the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary, international team;
• excellent written and spoken communication skills in English;Experience with primary human cells or tissues, respiratory viruses and/or adipose-tissue research is an advantage but not essential.