Two postdoctoral fellows in Mucosal Immunology

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 2 years
Extent: 100 %
Location: Institute of Biomedicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: As agreed
Reference number: PER 2016/347
Two postdoctoral positions are available in the Mucosal Immunology group headed by Professor Nils Lycke at the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Gothenburg. The research in our group is financed by two EU-projects, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Cancer Foundation and the Swedish Research Council. We focus on mucosal vaccines and adjuvant development and have a broad range of research topics within the group. These topics include mechanistic studies of adjuvants on targeted cells of the innate immune system and how to improve vaccine efficacy by exploring nanoparticle formulations and fusion protein targeting of dendritic cells. Adaptive
immunity is studied in the context of a universal flu vaccine and mucosal vaccines against norovirus infections. We are also internationally recognized for our work on gut IgA B cells and the unique functions of the germinal center reaction in Peyer´s patches (see Nat Rev Immunol 12:593, 2012). Finally, a subgroup is dissecting mechanisms responsible for the powerful tolerogenic effects on autoimmune conditions that is conveyed by the CTA1R9K-DD
tolerogenic platform, a project that is a collaboration between our academic group and the Toleranzia AB company in Gothenburg.
The successful candidates will join a team of 12-15 members with expertise in state-of-the-art animal models for infectious diseases and autoimmunity, proteomics and systems biology approaches to adjuvant function.
Subject area
Mucosal Immunology
Specific subject description
1) The first postdoctoral fellow will utilize state of the art animal models and in vivo/in vitro phenotypic and functional assays to assess the role of dendritic and follicular dendritic cells for the adjuvant and tolerogenic effects induced by enzymatically active CTA1-DD or inactive mutant CTA1R9K-DD. The candidate should be highly motivated, have the ability to work independently but also enjoy contributing and working within a team.
2) The second postdoctoral fellow will work with the mucosal immune response after oral immunizations. Focus will be placed on the development of gut IgA B cell responses and the regulatory control of such responses. Special emphasis will be given to understanding the development of long term memory responses and how these best could be achieved by the development of a nanoparticle based vaccine that combines targeting of dendritic cell subsets with immunomodulation. Various infectious disease models will be at hand such as the influenza and norovirus challenge models.

Eligibility
An achieved doctoral degree is compulsory for a position as postdoctor at Göteborg University.
The doctoral thesis shall be in a relevant area according to the specific position stated here. Since a position as postdoctor aims to give new holders of the doctorate the opportunity mainly to strengthen and develop their scholarly proficiency, we aim for those who have a doctoral degree not older than 3 years counting from last date of application. The qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher
Education Ordinance.
Assessment
The successful candidates will have documented training in immunology (Ph.D), with considerable practical expertise in a broad range of immunological techniques, including multicolor flow cytometry, primary cell isolation and an in vivo/in vitro cellular assays and experience with in vivo murine models. The candidates should be highly motivated, have the ability to work independently, but also enjoy contributing and working within a team. The candidates will be
selected on the basis of merits and prior experience in the research field. The short listed candidates will be interviewed and finally a few competitive candidates will be called for an interview on site at MIVAC.
Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Closing date 2016-07-21
Appointment Procedure
Please apply online.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. http://www.gu.se/english/about_the_university/announcements-in-the-job-application-portal/?languageId=0&disableRedirect=true&id=19144&Dnr=776856&Type=E
The file must include:
• Application as a cover letter including a brief outline of prior research experience and scientific
interests
• CV with documented PhD exam
• Diploma or other relevant merits
• List of publications
• 2 references with contact information

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.
Salary is determined on an individual basis. Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.