PhD candidate on cardiovascular immunology in heart transplantation

Job description

Immunosuppression is critical for the survival of heart transplantation patients. Current immunosuppressive regimens focus on the inhibition of alloreactive T-cells and B-cells, for their role in graft rejection. Over the last few years however, the role of innate inflammatory mechanisms in transplantation immunology gained traction. Monocytes and other innate immune cells are not directly targeted by current immunosuppressive regimens, but can have a deleterious impact on cardiac allograft vasculopathy development, graft rejection, and other inflammatory complications in heart transplantation patients.

This PhD project aims to unravel the role of monocyte trained immunity in the development of inflammatory complications in heart transplantation patients. The project is funded by an Erasmus MC Fellowship of Dr. Henk Schipper, and is a collaboration between the Pediatric and Adult Heart Transplantation Teams (Dr. Henk Schipper, Dr. Olivier Manintveld), the Laboratory of Pediatrics (Prof. Dr. Janneke Samsom, Dr. Wendy Unger), and the Transplantation Institute. 

Your day-to-day activities will include:

• In-depth assessment of innate and adaptive immune cell phenotypes and function in peripheral blood samples of heart transplantation patients.
• Development of novel strategies to evaluate monocyte trained immunity and innate immune function in peripheral blood samples and heart biopsies.
• Integrating the acquired immunological data with clinical data from the pediatric and adult heart transplantation patients, to identify immunological mechanisms underlying inflammatory complications.
• Close collaboration with the pediatric and adult heart transplantation teams in patient recruitment and sample acquisition.

The PhD project will improve our understanding of post-transplant immunology, will provide novel immunological strategies to predict inflammatory complications, and lays the foundation for improved immunosuppressive regimens in the near future.

Work environment

You will be based at the Laboratory of Pediatrics of the Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital. The laboratory hosts immunologists, biologists, and clinicians working on inflammatory disorders, which creates a vibrant and stimulating interdisciplinary atmosphere.

Dr. Henk Schipper is a Pediatric Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Immunologist, and will be responsible for daily supervision of the project, in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Janneke Samsom, Dr. Wendy Unger, and Dr. Olivier Manintveld.

Qualifications and skills

If you are ready and motivated to unravel complex immune responses following pediatric and adult heart transplantation, we encourage you to apply for this exciting PhD opportunity at the Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital.

You have the following qualifications:

• A university MSc degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical sciences, or medicine, preferably with a specialisation in immunology.
• Hands-on laboratory experience during internship(s).
• Good command of the Dutch and English language.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Nice-to-haves: 

• Experience with immunological research.
• Affinity with clinical data analysis.

If you are a forward-thinking researcher with a passion for translational research, join us in shaping the future of pediatric and adult heart transplantation!

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 4 years.
• The gross monthly salary is € 3.017,- in the 1st year and increases to € 3.824,- in the 4th year (scale OIO).
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP, we take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an in-company physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. There is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

More information

If you are excited by the thought of this position and would like to apply, please do so by using the application form on our website.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Henk Schipper, Pediatric Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Immunologist, +31 (0)6 501 626 63.

No agencies please.