PhD fellowship - Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Job Information
Organisation/Company: Giga Institute - University of Liege
Department: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology, Medical sciences » Health sciences
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Master Positions
Country: Belgium
Application Deadline; December 31st 2024
Type of Contract: PhD fellowship, temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 38

Offer Description

Eosinophils remain one of the least understood innate immune cell types, despite their value in the diagnosis and as therapeutic targets in a wide array of diseases such as type 2 asthma. Our lab was instrumental in demonstrating that eosinophils are phenotypically and functionally more diverse than had long been assumed (https://www.jci.org/articles/view/85664). We now aim to characterize the developmental and functional plasticity of eosinophils, and the impact of current therapies thereon, to improve current therapeutic approaches for eosinophil-associated diseases (https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/59/3/2100935#sec-14, https://www.cell.com/immunity/abstract/S1074-7613(24)00232-2).

The objective of this project is to characterize and harness signalling and transcriptional mechanisms underlying distinct functional programs of eosinophils in the respiratory tract, a prevalent target of eosinophilic disorders. The project will integrate (single cell-)RNA-sequencing, ATAC-sequencing, high dimension flow cytometry, metabolomics, transgenic mouse models and translational analyses of samples from asthma patients.

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join our team.

Specific duties and activities:

• Perform and analyse mouse models of eosinophilic inflammation using histology, high dimension flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting
• Perform bioinformatic analyses on (single cell-)RNA-sequencing, ATAC-sequencing and other types of high-throughput data
• If not available yet, acquire FELASA-C certification for working with laboratory animals (on-site training offered)
• Enrol in PhD training
• Assist with other closely related projects in the lab

Research Environment:

The Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (https://www.gigalcmi.uliege.be) is led by Profs. Fabrice Bureau, Nathalie Jacobs and Christophe Desmet at the GIGA Institute of the University of Liege in Belgium (https://www.giga.uliege.be). By being physically connected to the university hospital of Liege, our lab benefits from collaborations with the clinical services of Pneumology and Hematology to translate its preclinical findings to humans. We are also part of a large consortium of Belgian laboratories studying eosinophil-associated diseases under a highly competitive funding program (https://www.eosprogramme.be).

The GIGA Institute is a modern research and development center in life sciences with more than 600 researchers from multiple disciplines and nationalities. GIGA is equipped with 9 technology platforms that offer access to state-of-the-art technologies at preferential cost (http://www.giga.uliege.be/platforms). As a core member of the GIGA, our lab has access to all the technologies needed to carry out its projects, including cell culture facilities and L2 and L3 laboratories, mouse breeding under standard and pathogen-free conditions, multi-color flow cytometers and cell sorters, high-resolution confocal microscopy, and latest generation sequencers.

The institute is located on the Sart-Timan campus in a pleasant, wooded area with excellent sporting facilities 30 minutes away by bus, bicycle or car from downtown Liege. Liege is a welcoming city with affordable housing and a vibrant cultural life and is well-connected to major west-European cities (Brussels: 1hr, Paris: 3hrs, London: 4hrs, Amsterdam: 4hrs)

Where to apply

E-mail: christophe.desmet@uliege.be

Requirements

Research Field: Health sciences, Biological sciences, Pharmacological sciences, Veterinary medicine, Medicine

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Education: Master in Biomedical sciences, Medicine, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Biology or equivalent. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest and adequate study curriculum in Immunology. Undergraduate experience in flow cytometry or bioinformatics is a plus.

Soft skills: The candidate should have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be able to work independently and as part of a team. Enthusiasm to work as part of a team, critical and creative thinking.

Languages: Good command of English, including written and spoken scientific English.

Specific Requirements 

Languages

ENGLISH, Good level

Additional Information

Benefits

• High-profile research project, fully financed by competitive grants in a modern, international and well-equipped research environment with state-of-the-art technological platforms
• Welcoming international research team
• Attractive salary and access to training opportunities (https://www.recherche.uliege.be/cms/c_12381524/en/listing-des-formation…)
• Position available immediately
• Funding available for several years
• Deadline for application: open until filled

Eligibility criteria

Selection process

Please send a cover letter describing your interests in biomedical research and motivation to join the project, your curriculum vitae including a description of your academic results and educational background in Immunology, your undergraduate thesis, and at least two reference letters to Christophe Desmet (christophe.desmet@uliege.be). Selected candidates will be interviewed in-person or online.