Postdoc Molecular and Translational Immunology

This fully funded 36-month postdoc project aims to test whether targeting the aminopeptidase ERAP2 can tackle EBV infection in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and is a joint effort of our group at the Department of Ophthalmology of the UMC Utrecht and the ErasMS team at Erasmus MC Rotterdam. You will use state-of-the-art molecular and cellular techniques available at the Kuiper group and its collaborating labs to elucidate how ERAP2 shapes pathogenic immune responses and if this can be corrected with small molecular inhibitors.

This project aims to test whether targeting ERAP2 can selectively remove pathogenic EBV-infected B cells in MS. Almost everyone with MS carries EBV, and EBV-infected B cells help drive disease. ERAP2 shapes how these B cells present viral peptides to NK cells and CD8+ T cells.

• You will build disease-relevant cellular models of EBV-infected B cells, modulate ERAP2 activity, and read out the downstream consequences for antigen presentation, NK and CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, and B cell survival. You will be embedded in the research group of Dr. Jonas Kuiper within the Center for Translational Immunology (CTI) at UMC Utrecht and collaborate closely with the groups of Dr.
  
  Marvin van Luijn and Dr. Joost Smolders at MS Center ErasMS in Rotterdam.

The project combines functional genetics in primary human B cells and B cell lines (CRISPR-KO and knock-in base editing) with immunological co-culture assays, single-cell transcriptomics, and HLA-immunopeptidomics.

• You will identify how ERAP2 variants and small-molecule modulators alter the peptidome on EBV-infected B cells and how this shifts recognition by NK and CD8+ T cells.

• You will also integrate population genetics and MS-associated risk variants to link mechanism to disease. The wider network includes NK experts Dr. Dorian Fruci (Rome) and Dr. Hannes Vietzen (University of Vienna), and immunopeptidomics expert Dr. Fabio Marino, giving the project real translational reach.

We are part of the lively Center for Translational Immunology (CTI) that hosts a large share of the immunological research performed in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU). The CTI has a broad base of experts in all aspects of immunology, from autoimmune and inflammatory disease to cancer, and from basic science to clinical application. The CTI and UMCU host multiple core facilities that you can use in this project, including a flow cytometry core, a protein production core, and computational core facilities.

We invite highly motivated, independent postdoc candidates with a proven interest and experience in molecular immunology, NK cell biology, and/or human genetics to apply. We positively value candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas, cell line editing (CRISPR-KO and knock-in base editing), NK and cytotoxic T cell co-culture assays, single-cell transcriptomics, HLA-immunopeptidomics, and a working understanding of population genetics, haplotypes and/or GWAS.

We require that you are proficient in English. The ideal candidate has excellent communication and organizational skills and enjoys collaborative projects across sites.

Applicants should briefly explain their interest in a short (1 A4) motivation letter.

Required training:
PhD.

Discipline:
Molecular and Translational Immunology

• A salary between €3724,- and €5867,- gross per month (salary scale 10), based on full-time employment.
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution.
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Are you coming on foot, bybikeor by car? You will then receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (by car up to amax.of 40 km one way).
• Possibilities to develop yourself personally and professionally.
• The option to selectadditionalemployment benefits in exchange for gross salary, such aspurchasinga bicycle and memberships.