EU funded Postdoctoral position in Immunology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Postdoctoral Researcher Position on an EU HORIZON-EIC Pathfinder Open-Funded Translational Consortial Research Project to Assess Antiviral Effects and Biological Safety of Developed Antiviral Lubricants in vivo

The Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. The Department of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala University is a supportive and collaborative environment for multidisciplinary research, known for its strong and diverse team of international researchers. The department is home to over 110 employees, including around 25 doctoral students, 10 postdoctoral fellows, and 40 researchers, teachers, and professors, as well as students at various levels.

As part of a prestigious European Union-funded collaborative project, we are thrilled to announce a postdoctoral researcher position in Professor Mia Phillipsons laboratory, department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden. The initiative unites top-tier academic research groups and an industry partner from 5 EU countries with the overall aim to develop radically new approaches for prophylaxis against HIV and HSV, with a long-term vision for end-user products. 

As integral members of our interdisciplinary team, you will play a pivotal role in assessing antiviral effects and biological safety of developed antiviral lubricants in vivo. You will be involved in high-impact, multidisciplinary research in a well-resourced and supportive environment and are expected to contribute to a project of significant scientific and societal importance. In parallel, you will gain an extensive network for collaboration and professional growth.

Societal importance
Globally, over a million new STIs arise daily, with women facing double the infection risk. Despite condoms being highly effective against STIs, their inconsistent use is a significant issue. Current strategies, including condom-free prophylaxis and treating infected people, not only burden society and healthcare but also contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This project seeks to utilise nature's defence mechanisms, such as the protective cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) in the human vagina, to develop innovative lubricants for HIV, HSV, and broader STI prophylaxis.

Scientific importance
Nature has spent hundreds of millions of years optimising elegant solutions to extremely complicated problems. One example is the mucus gel that covers the human body's wet epithelial surfaces, spanning over 200 square metres. Mucus moisturises and lubricates the epithelium and protects from invaders such as bacteria and viruses to maintain tissue homeostasis. Mucin glycoproteins are the major non-aqueous components of mucus, and are made up of  protein backbones decorated by sugar molecules, which produce remarkable chemical diversity. These properties allow mucins to play various roles in nature, including signalling to immune cells and bacteria to maintain homeostasis in mucosal tissues, as well as binding to and entrapping various viral particles in mucus gels while removing them by active mucus turnover. Our approach is to learn from nature’s solutions but improve nature's failures. 

Your role
This position is instrumental in evaluating the anti-viral effects and biological safety of the designed new materials in vivo, and involves innovative method developments as well as established, advanced immunological methods. The position is placed in the ImmunoPhysiology laboratory of Professor Mia Phillipson, which is an international dynamic and ambitious research team with a well-established collaborative network and strong funding. The overall aim of the conducted research in the Phillipson laboratory is aiming to uncover novel roles of immune cells and to find means to regulate their specific functions in settings spanning from organ development and regulation of homeostasis to tissue healing, angiogenesis and infection. The Phillipson laboratory is located within a unique environment allowing functional and longitudinal in vivo studies, and in close proximity to the largest national infrastructure within Life Sciences in Sweden, SciLifeLab, with Prof. Phillipson as co-director. Further, observations from Prof. Phillipson’s laboratory have resulted in a successful spin-off company now in clinical phase 2 (Ilya Pharma, www.ilyapharma.se). 

State-of-the-art infrastructure
The ImmunoPhysiology laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that enable in vivo observations of mucus dynamics, bacterial interactions with mucus, epithelium and immune cells. Several of our imaging setups are partly developed in-house and used in conjunction with our expertise in physiology to enable longitudinal in vivo studies. In addition to our high-speed confocal in vivo microscopes, we also have several other types of microscopes as well as equipment for spectra flow cytometry, cell sorting, protein and gene array techniques, and bioinformatics competence both within our own lab and through our department of Medical Cell Biology.

Responsibilities

Outlining the postdoc's expected tasks, such as experimental design, materials synthesis, FACS, In vitro and in vivo models, data analysis, and dissemination of findings through publications and conferences, and supervision of students at various levels.

Requirements
PhD degree, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in immunology, physiology or a related subject. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment, and not more than three years prior to the application deadline. The three-year period can be extended due to certain circumstances, such as sick leave, parental leave, military duties, etc. 

We consider very high motivation and enthusiasm as fundamental prerequisites for the position, encompassing initiative taking and active collaboration with fellow researchers. Our research ecosystem is currently experiencing significant growth and establishment of close partnerships with both internal teams at Uppsala University and external collaborators.

Your ability to work both independently and collaboratively, together with your proficiency in the required areas, will be key to the success of this role.

In addition, the candidates must possess:

• Educational credentials: Evidence of expertise in cell biology/immunology/physiology and engineering, demonstrated through degrees, publications and other relevant qualifications
• A high level of computer proficiency, particularly in advanced imaging and image analysis, FACS, in vitro and in vivo assays 
• Exceptional organisational skills, and a high degree of motivation to excel in a dynamic research environment
• Autonomy: the capability to independently perform complex tasks with minimal supervision
• The ability to onboard and supervise new group members and students
• Excellent problem-solving skills, strong analytical skills, protocol development expertise
• Proficiency in scientific writing, and in summarising results and data
• Very strong English communication skills, both spoken and written

Additional qualifications
Experience in working with laboratory animals and a FELASA certificate will be considered a strong bonus. 

The application should contain a short personal letter with a brief description of research interests and relevant experience (1/2 A4) together with a full CV, copies of diplomas and transcripts, the applicant’s thesis (or a draft) and documentation from to the position relevant experience.

Please also submit two letters of reference or contact information of previous direct research supervisors.

Selection of candidates is based on qualifications, previous work experience, and personal suitability.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Mia Phillipson, 018-471 4419, mia.phillipson@mcb.uu.se

Please submit your application by the 9th of April 2024, UFV-PA 2024/679.

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