A PhD position within mRNA vaccines is vacant for the right candidate with immunological and pharmaceutical background for a period of 3 years.

About us

The Department of Infectious Disease Immunology develops novel vaccines for the prevention of e.g. Influenza, Tuberculosis and Chlamydia. To achieve that, investigation of fundamental aspects of infection and immunity to intracellular pathogens is used to guide the design of novel vaccines. Effective delivery systems are a prerequisite of successful vaccination and the department therefore has an adjuvant research team aiming at developing novel adjuvant formulations designed to induce the immunological profiles required.

You can get further information about our work here:

https://en.ssi.dk/research/center-for-vaccine-research/center-for-vaccine-research/vaccine-adjuvant-research

The department houses a goal orientated and enthusiastic international research team consisting of immunologists, molecular biologists, formulation scientists and protein chemists and is in the absolute forefront of the international efforts to develop vaccines to these important pathogens. The department is equipped with "state of the art" animal and laboratory facilities.

The position

The aim of the PhD project is to design mRNA vaccines inducing local mucosal immune responses in the upper airways. This is achieved by buccal delivery via hollow microneedles, which are manufactured by a collaborating group (Biomaterial Microsystems) at DTU.

Research tasks include:

• Study basic cellular and humoral local and systemic immune responses after buccal administration of mRNA vaccines
• Formulate and evaluate novel delivery systems for mRNA vaccines for buccal delivery
• Study physicochemical properties of different delivery systems and applying these for microneedle devices

• Investigate target cells and activation profile after buccal delivery of mRNA vaccines.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate for the position will feature the following profile:

• Dynamic, independent, creative and goal orientated with a strong immunological and pharmaceutical background
• Strong technical background in immunological methods including ELISA, Flow Cytometry and qPCR
• Knowledge and hands-on experience within in vitro and in vivo models of immunology
• Experience with mRNA-based vaccines and adjuvant formulation
• Capable of handling a multifaceted project with many stakeholders and collaborators

Terms of employment

The employment is covered by the terms of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Organization of Academics and the appendix regarding ph.d-students.

Contact

For further details and informal enquiries please contact Head of section Gabriel K. Pedersen at +45 3268 8561.

Are you interested?

Click on “Apply” and send us your application, Curriculum Vitae and a copy of relevant diplomas.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 10 and 11.