One or More PhD Stipends in Fungal Infections Fought by Recombinant Antibodies

One or More PhD Stipends in Fungal Infections Fought by Recombinant Antibodies

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, one or more PhD stipends are available within the general study program Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 01.08.2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 3 years. The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry, and chemical engineering. Our research solves important challenges for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative, and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates, and PhDs. The department consists of around 230 employees and enrolled PhD Students, including 55 assistant, associate, and full professors. The researchers at the department conduct internationally competitive research within a range of topics and are involves in the publication of around 250 peer reviewed publications annually. At the department, we have 8 sections and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department’s day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the vice heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders. You can read more about the department at bio.aau.dk. The workplace is in Aalborg.

Jobbeskrivelse
Fungal pathogens present a growing threat to public health, affecting approximately a billion people worldwide through pathologies ranging from allergic syndromes to local mucocutaneous infections, to life-threatening systemic diseases. Due to existing gaps in diagnostics and clinical understanding the number of registered deaths due to fungal diseases of 1.5 million individuals is probably underestimated. The PhD positions aim to investigate a novel therapeutic pathway, prioritizing high-risk patient populations initially. We have recently identified novel therapeutic targets in a few fungal species and have obtained proof of concept that recombinant antibodies can be selected from phage display libraries specifically binding to these targets. The PhD studies will identify and purify similar targets from other fungal species and characterize these targets using mass spectrometry and NMR. Further recombinant antibodies and antibody mimetics will be selected from phage display libraries. These selections will be based on state-of-the-art technologies in Next generation sequencing and bioinformatics. The isolated antibodies will be expressed in various host systems and tested for in vitro and in vivo activity, involving model systems.

Requirements:

• A master's degree in biotechnology or a closely related field is an advantage.
• It will be considered an advantage if the applicants have prior experience within one or more of the following fields: fungal growth and characterization, secondary metabolite isolation and characterization, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, phage display selections, recombinant antibody and mimetics, confocal microscopy, or protein expression and purification.
• The applicant must be interested in working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement.

Application:
The application must contain:(1) Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position;(2) Project description, which is required for technical reasons– in this case, where you apply for a specific project, you may upload a copy of the project description above;(3) CV;(4) Diploma and transcripts of records; and(5) Other relevant information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

You may obtain further information about the scientific aspects of the project from Laboratory Engineer, PhD, Klaus Westphal, Phone:+4599407248, mail:[email protected].

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience advances regional, national, and global knowledge build-up, while contributing to the solution of societal challenges through innovative research, problem-based education and knowledge-based collaborations. We produce excellent research in engineering and natural science and Aalborg University constantly ranks top of the World within engineering research and education. In the workplace, we strive for diversity in nationality, culture, and gender, growth as a team effort, maintaining an inspiring physical work environment, and ensuring a good work-life balance.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: [email protected], phone:+45 9940 7408.

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science:www.phd.engineering.aau.dk

The application is only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Løn og ansættelsesvilkår
Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

Ansøgningsfrist
2024-07-17

Ref. nummer
18-24047

Afdeling
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience