Positions available!!!

Doctoral and postdoctoral positions available starting in October 2022
T and B cell responses during pulmonary infection

PhD project: Tissue resident memory (TRM) T cells play critical roles in tissue remodeling, repair and protection against subsequent infection. Poised to rapidly respond at the site of antigen exposure, TRM cells are an attractive therapeutic target for various immune interventions. We recently identified a population of lung resident T cells with high expression of HIF1α, a transcription factor that supports glycolysis and cell survival in oxygen/nutrient poor environments. This project focuses on understanding how HIF1α activity regulates the generation, localization and function of these tissue T cells, and further exploring a molecular link for T cell intrinsic iron metabolism in these processes.
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Postdoctoral project: Our recent work suggests that CD4 T cells that interact with B cells in the lung have a better chance of providing long-lasting protection against pulmonary infection compared to more inflammatory T helper cells. B cells act as integral hubs with wide-ranging effects in the immune network, but their impact in tuberculosis (TB) hasn’t been adequately assessed.   The postdoctoral fellow will investigate the role of antibodies and tissue resident B cells during TB infection. Immunoproteomic approaches will be used to identify novel antibody targets and antibody glycosylation features during TB infection in mice.  The function of TB-specific monoclonal antibodies isolated from both humans and mice will be further analyzed using in vitro and in vivo (adenoviral delivery in mice) approaches.  These findings will be ultimately be integrated with extensive transcriptomic and spatial analysis of the pulmonary immune compartment during TB infection. The project was recently selected for ERC Consolidator funding (to be financed by Switzerland's State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation).   

Required Qualifications for Doctoral Candidates:

• MsC in immunology, microbiology or closely related field
• Curiosity, motivation and willingess to work both independently and in a team​

Required Qualifications for Postdoctoral Candidates:

• PhD or equivalent degree in immunology or related discipline
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry
• Experience with either: protein/antibody engineering OR animal model and flow cytometry
• Background in bioinformatics/statistics (or willingness to learn!)\

Important information:

• position requires work with pathogens potentially dangerous to humans (Biosafety level 2 and 3)
• position requires work with in vivo mouse models

To apply:
Please send a cover letter describing research interests, career goals and a curriculum vitae to Carolyn King (email: carolyn.king@unibas.ch)