PhD scholarship in Nanobody/sdAb-Based Therapeutics for Influenza in High-Risk Populations - DTU Bioengineering

Seeking a motivated and highly qualified candidate to contribute to our research project with the overarching goal of developing an sdAb based broadly neutralizing influenza drug for early intervention in high-risk individuals.
A 3-year PhD position is available within the research group Antiviral Immunomics headed by senior scientist Kerstin Skovgaard. Our research group belongs to the Section for Medical Biotechnology at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine. The position will be available from April 2025 or soon thereafter. More information about the group can be found at https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/research-sections/section-for-medical-biotechnology/antiviral-immunomics

Every year influenza causes severe illness among elderly and the severely obese. In Denmark alone, this group amounts to approximately 1.2 million individuals. We are deeply involved in antiviral immune research, primarily studying zoonotic influenza viruses and how co-morbidities affect infection severity and vaccination responses. We perform research that facilitates discovery of new biomarkers for cost efficient diagnostics, and pinpoints targets for future development of therapeutics for respiratory diseases.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You as the PhD student will work with a team of scientists, postdocs and PhD students in close collaboration with Statens Serum Institute and the research group “Biotherapeutic Glycoengineering and Immunology” headed by Professor Steffen Goletz.

Further, your tasks as a PhD Student enrolled at DTU Bioengineering are to: Manage and execute yourindependent scientific project, actively participate in PhD courses, participate in international congresses, teach and disseminate your research, co-supervise master and bachelor students within your field and finally write your PhD thesis.

You should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Specifically, we seek applicants with a master’s degree in biotechnology, molecular biology, biology, or equivalent.

You should be a motivated and highly qualified candidate, eager to contribute to our research project with the overarching goal of developing an antibody based broadly neutralizing influenza drug for early intervention in high-risk individuals.

You as the ideal candidate must have solid laboratory experiences in glycobiology, gene editing, protein purification and analysis, as well as antibody engineering. We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in molecular and cellular techniques relevant to the project goals.

Personal qualifications are strong motivation, commitment and enthusiasm. An excellent standard of oral and written English is necessary.

Candidates are expected to possess the qualifications listed below:

• Knowledge of antiviral immunology and virology
• Recombinant Protein Expression Experience
• Hands-on experience with Antibody or sdAb Development
• Knowledge and practical experience in Phage Display Technology
• Experience in bioinformatics, statistics and R
• Expertise with in vitro Virus Neutralization Assay
• Fluency in spoken and written English

Desirable experience and skills:

• Knowledge of techniques including ELISA, sequencing, and evaluation techniques
• Familiarity with RNA and / or protein structure and interactions
• Competence in using algorithms for protein structure and interaction prediction
• Knowledge about omics e.g., transcriptomics / proteomics data analysis

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior scientist Kerstin Skovgaard.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Kerstin Skovgaard, mail: [email protected]. Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 23 December 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As the position involves research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, among other things, open-source background checks will be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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