PhD Research Fellowship in Immunology

A 3-year PhD fellowship is available at the Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital. The position will be located in the lab of Prof. Ludvig Sollid and will be avaible from 01.10.2025. The research fellow will be enrolled in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. 

The Sollid laboratory is focused on adaptive immune responses in Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a common autoimmune disorder caused by dietary intake of gluten proteins. Celiac disease is well characterized and has the unique advantage that the antigens implicated in the pathogenesis are known. This project will explore an approach to selectively eliminate antigen-specific B cells in celiac disease. B-cell depletion therapies have emerged as a promising treatment for many autoimmune diseases. While elimination of all B cells is effective, this is a drastic intervention with immune deficiency and infection risk as a consequence. We will explore specific elimination of autoreactive B cells specific for the autoantigen in celiac disease, transglutaminase 2 (TG2),  by developing so-called Bispecific AutoAntigen T-cell Engagers (BiAATEs). The PhD project is to develop these BiAATEs and to test their efficacy in eliminating TG2-reactive B cells using clinical samples from patients with celiac disease and unique mouse models generated in our laboratory. The work will be carried out in collaboration with other researchers and clinicians at Oslo University Hospital and will be jointly supervixsed by Professor Ludvig M. Sollid and Researcher Fleur du Pré. The research infrastructure includes access to a number of core facilities, including flow cytometry, microscopy and proteomics. 

Key tasks will include

• Design, and construction using molecular biology techniques, of BiAATE molecules which will consist of the autoantigen TG2 on one arm and an antibody targeting the T-cell co-receptor CD3 on the other arm. 
  
• Determine whether BiAATE molecules deplete autoreactive B-cells in peripheral blood samples of celiac disease patients using flow cytometry techniques. 
  
• Testing of BiAATE molecules in pre-clinical animal models, which involves handling of laboratory mice, including injections (intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous), oral gavage and blood sampling. 
  
• Isolation of T-cells and B-cells from mouse spleen, lymph nodes and the small intestinal lymphoid tissue and lamina propria, and analysis of antigen-specific (auto)antibody responses in immunized mice. 
  
• Publish scientific papers and present results on international conferences. 
  

Qualifications

• Master degree or equivalent in immunology or molecular medicin / biology. 
  
• Experience with mouse work (EU Function B) or willingness to be trained with animal work.
  
• Knowledge of / experience with cellular immunology, in particular B-cell immunology.
  
• Experience with relevant molecular biology and immunology techniques, including cloning, transfection, flow cytometry, cell isolation, cell culture, ELISPOT, ELISA, immunohistochemistry.  
  
• Flexibility and ability to work in a team as well as independently.  
  

The application must include

• Application letter, including research interests and the motivations for applying for this position.
  
• CV summarizing education, positions held, details of academic work and other qualifying activities.
  
• Full list of publications.
  
• Copies of educational certificates and transcripts of records.
  
• Names and contact details of 2 referees, stating relation to candidate, e-mail and phone no.  
  

The application letter, CV and all other documents should be in English or in a Scandinavian language. In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be put on:
The applicant's academic and personal qualifications to carry out the project within the allotted time frame. Good cooperative skills and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines. Experience with laboratory animals and the relevant techniques. Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

Personal qualities 
We are looking for:

• A highly motivated candidate with an outstanding potential and a strong background in mouse immunology.
• Ability and motivation to work independently and actively contribute to the design and realization of research experiments is essential. 
  

We can offer

• A stimulating, active and attractive working environment.
  
• Involvement in a versatile and ambitious set of research projects.
  
• Salary according to guidelines from the Oslo University Hospital.
  
• Opportunity to learn and master new techniques in immunology, molecular and cell biology.
  
• Opportunities and support for career development. 
  

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