Postdoc: respiratory tract infections

As a postdoc at RIVM you will have the unique opportunity to shape a translational research line that directly impacts public health. With the autonomy to outline this innovative project you will be focusing on a novel area: the effects of epithelial ageing on respiratory infections. By expanding your own biobank and working with advanced human models, you will gain deep, mechanism-based insights that are crucial for understanding mechanisms of infection and support policies to prevent infections, amongst others by next-generation mucosal vaccines. Continue reading to learn more about our open postdoc position.

Research into mucosal immunity to bacterial infections in the respiratory tract
Despite vaccinations and other preventive measures, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract remain a major source of morbidity and mortality. Vaccines mostly fail to induce (lasting) mucosal immunity in the upper airways. Also, our understanding of local immune responses to many pathogens is incomplete, especially in humans. For this reason, the Centre for Immunology of Infectious diseases and Vaccines of the national Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) investigates mucosal immunity to infectious diseases as part of their task to investigate how the general population can be protected against disease from infectious microorganisms.

To understand host-microbe interactions and the role of vaccines in protecting against infections we investigate how epithelial cells from (upper) airways respond to infection. We recently observed that microbial reproduction (streptococci and meningococci) as well as secreted cytokines vary considerably depending on which epithelial cells and donors were selected. In this project we want to investigate the hypothesis that individual diversity, including ageing, in epithelial cell biology and ensuing host responses to infection may help explain how colonization may progress to invasive infection.

The epithelial cells do not act alone, and therefore we need to develop a better understanding of cross talk between epithelial cells and immune cells in responses to bacterial infections in the respiratory tract. Secondly, various studies demonstrate that mucosal antibodies associate with protection, but the mechanism of antibody-mediated protection at the mucosal surface is largely unknown and probably differs between pathogen species or even strains. We would like to bring the epithelial models towards translational research to understand how vaccines and natural immunity may protect against infection.

Your responsibilities
You will sustain respiratory epithelial cell biology conceptually and expand the existing epithelial cell biobank. You will further define specific research questions and perform infection experiments. Infection studies will amongst other incorporate the role of antibodies, induced following infection or vaccination, and epithelial cell – immune cell crosstalk.

Depending on the specific research question, biological relevant environmental factors, i.e. cytokines, could be used as co-stimuli. Readouts could vary from gene expression analyses, cytokines/chemokine in supernatants, (live) confocal microscopy, cell migration and bacterial killing assays. You will process the results and design follow-up research. You will present your findings in presentations in the team and at conferences and report the findings in peer reviewed publications.

In this role, you'll have the unique opportunity to further develop your scientific independence while delving into the mechanisms of mucosal protection against bacterial infections. You will have the freedom to further outline the project. You will guide the content of the research line and also leverage human skills.

Department
Your appointment will be at the Immunosurveillance (IMS) department of the center for Immunology of Infectious diseases and Vaccines (IIV). Our department is (inter)nationally recognized for our expertise in serosurveillance. In addition to serosurveillance we investigate the development and characteristics of cellular immunity in the population and following vaccination. IMS currently consists of the department head and three senior researchers, three postdocs, five PhD students and twelve laboratory technicians. We collaborate with other researchers of the IIV department and university medical centers based on scientific and technological expertise. You will be part of the mucosal immunity research team consisting of a senior researcher, data scientist, three PhD students and part time technician support. In addition to bi-weekly team meetings, with an informal atmosphere (and chocolate), ad hoc meetings to discuss specifics of the project or brainstorms about next steps or future plans are welcomed. Within the team and the department, colleagues are happy to help and share their expertise.

How to apply
Are you interested in this postdoc position? Then please apply through the webpage and address your motivation and resume to Dr. Gerco den Hartog, senior researcher mucosal immunology and surveillance. If you have any questions first, then please don’t hesitate to contact him at +31 (0)6-3113 5216. We are happy to hear from you.

The interviews for this position will take place on Monday June 29th and Wednesday July 1st.

Job requirements
As a dedicated researcher, you naturally take the initiative to conceptually develop, execute, and independently bring research projects to a successful conclusion. While maintaining a clear high-level overview, you foster an open, convincing, and collaborative environment within the team. You are highly approachable for fellow scientists and proactively reach out to others to build strong connections.

Furthermore you have:

• A background in (mucosal) immunology, cell biology or infectious diseases research;
• A PhD (graduated, or thesis approved) in a field related to this position;
• Experience in primary cell culture techniques. Experience with epithelial biology or confocal microscopy is a plus;
• A proven track-record in science through research output.

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