Industrial PhD Candidate for investigation of skin tissue remodeling biomarkers in atopic dermatitis towards treatable endotypes

Are you passionate about dermatology, biomarker evaluation and precision medicine? Do you thrive on working with unsupervised learning methods and generate tissue biomarker based endotypes in patients with atopic dermatitis which can aid in monitoring the efficacy of current treatments as well as help identify new targets? We are looking for a PhD candidate for a 3-year industrial PhD fellowship. The project aims to advance our understanding of skin tissue remodeling and pave the way for more effective treatments. The position is based at Nordic Bioscience in Herlev, Denmark, and will be conducted with enrollment at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Join us in this challenging and rewarding journey to make a significant impact in the field of dermatology.

Project Description
You will play a pivotal role in identifying new atopic dermatitis endotypes using a combination of blood-based markers and clinical assessment methodologies. This work aims to provide novel insights into tissue remodeling and disease pathogenesis, ultimately benefiting patients.

The project objectives are:

1) To quantify skin tissue remodeling in patients with atopic dermatitis by using novel blood-based biomarkers in prospective clinical patient cohorts. The goal is to identify patients with rapid disease progression, assess treatment efficacy, and monitor response of treatment. Novel biomarkers will be developed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

2) To measure the extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers in blood from cross-sectional studies of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients to evaluate the specificity of the biomarkers for each disease pathology.

3) To identify atopic dermatitis endotypes using a panel of ECM biomarkers in cross-sectional and control-randomized clinical studies. The endotypes will be performed using unsupervised machine learning methods.

As a PhD fellow at Nordic Bioscience, you are expected to manage and conduct your research project, in collaboration with your supervisors. Additionally, you will take PhD courses relevant for the project and participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings to disseminate your research. Finally, you are expected to write scientific articles, engage in laboratory work, and contribute to project execution activities. Since your enrollment in the PhD program will be at Aarhus University and you will be affiliated with Aarhus University Hospital, you are expected to travel to Aarhus for courses and meetings.

Required qualifications
The candidate must hold a relevant MSc degree (biochemistry, biomedicine, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science or alike), have a grade of at least 10 (or equivalent for foreign educations) in the MSc thesis and achieve one of these two requirements for grade-point averages:

• Master's and bachelor's degree combined: Weighted average of at least 8.2 on the 7-point scale or 9 on the 13-point scale
• For a two-year master's degree alone: Weighted average of at least 9.5 on the 7-point scale or 9.4 on the 13-point scale

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants:

• The grades achieved during bachelor/master studies
• Laboratory skills and interest or knowledge in the field of dermatology
• Fluency in English
• Collaboratory mindset and able to work as part of a research team
• Relevant work experience
• Knowledge of basic statistics and analysis of clinical studies is an advantage

Dermatology at Nordic Bioscience
The PhD student will be affiliated within the Dermatology team at Nordic Bioscience. The group is focusing on development of novel biomarkers in blood able to detect early disease activity and efficacy of intervention markers, providing better possibilities for obtaining an effective and personalized patient care. The PhD student will be supervised by Signe Holm Nielsen, MSc, PhD (Scientific Director and Head of Dermatology), who has 9+ years of experience in dermatology, biomarker development, validation, and evaluation, and co-supervised by Helena Port, MSc, PhD (Industrial Postdoc), who has experience in biomarker development and endotyping. The Dermatology team currently also employs 1 PhD student, 1 MSc student, 3 laboratory technicians, 1 business developer and 1 associated statistician.

The PhD student will also collaborate with the distinguished dermatologists Chair Professor Christian Vestergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc and Clinical Director and Associate Professor Mette Deleuran, MD, DMSc from Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University. Through years of expertise in dermatology, clinical studies, and biomarkers, they will provide a distinct background into the disease pathology as well as the acquisition of relevant clinical studies with the aim to evaluate endotypes based on ECM biomarkers.

Working for Nordic Bioscience
Nordic Bioscience is a Science-driven research and development company that aims at providing precision medicine for the future. We strive to foster excellence in an environment where new inventions and high-quality products goes hand in hand with due diligence and reliability. We are motivated by data that provides support of promising new drugs or new hope for better patient care. We are inspired by working with clever and engaged colleagues. We are a small company making a global fingerprint.

Contact
For further details please contact the Scientific Director and Head of Dermatology, Signe Holm Nielsen, +4544525252, [email protected].

How to apply
Please attach the following:

• Cover letter, CV
• List of publications
• Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used.
• For those applicants whose principal language of instruction during their BSc/MSc was not English it will be an advantage if they enclose IELTS or TOEFL test scores or equivalent proof of English skills

Deadline for application is 20 August 2024. We are evaluating applications on an ongoing basis, so please send your application as soon as possible.