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PhD or Postodc on “Bottom-up manufacturing of artificial anti-tumor CAR T cells"

KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium

30+ dagen geleden

Functieomschrijving

The Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors (MeBioS) performs groundbreaking research on innovative biotechnologies and the associated data analysis methods to understand and control the quality of products and ongoing processes.

The Biomimetics research group focuses on replicating biological functions via engineered micro- and nano-systems for biomedical applications.

Project

Cells are key components in many therapeutic interventions. From more commonplace erythrocytes (which are used worldwide every day to save thousands of lives) to novel stem cell-based and genetically modified lymphocyte-based therapies (such as CART-T cells, which have provided revolutionary treatments for incurable cancers), cell-based therapies have a great impact on current medical practice.Reproducing the therapeutic effects of CAR T cells in synthetic, functional facsimiles that are safer and more inexpensive to produce and handle, could allow to circumvent many of the current technological limitations that hinder a more wide-spread applicability of these therapies. By developing new methodologies in a multidisciplinary approach, we intend to build "artificial CAR T cells" that are tolerated by the immune system and present cancer cell-killing capacity in vivo upon recognition of tumor cell antigens.Key tasks involve :

Adapt adequate protocols (microfluidics, nanotechnology) to robustly construct lipid bilayer environments with biologically relevant characteristics (i.e. lipid asymmetry and complex composition).
Develop adequate membrane insertion protocols for a diversity of biomolecular complexes, focusing on specific systems of the inner (intracellular signaling) and outer (cytotoxic T cell receptors and ligands) membrane.
Implement screening strategies to test for the adequate biological replication of the function of these biomimetic complexes.

Profile

Are you an energetic person, able to both think critically and creatively in scientific terms while also being effective at resolving technical challenges? Are you keen on working at the crossroads of several disciplines (from bioengineering to biomedicine)? Then you may be the perfect scientist to join our team. The ideal candidate should possess at leasts several of the following skillset :

Prior involvement in the production of artificial lipid-bilayer membranes and in carrying out screens on these systems.

Experience in working with membrane proteins and protein expression systems, including bacteria, insect cells, and mammalian cells.

Practical knowledge of manufacturing and operating microfluidic devices.

Familiarity with analytical techniques for experimental characterization of nanoparticles and / or nanostructure assemblies.

Knowledge of cell imaging, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, ELISA is desirable.

Candidates should have recently obtained a Master’s degree in Bio-Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Cancer Biology, Biochemistry or any other relevant discipline with outstanding grades.

Language skills : ENGLISH : Excellent; DUTCH : of advantage for the interaction within the University, however not required.

Candidates have to be hard working, enthusiastic and intelligent with a strong interest in understanding the fundamentals mechanisms of the responsive behavior of cells, as well as its implications for biomedical applications.

You have a talent for conceiving advanced experimental set-ups and can realize them in a target-oriented manner.

You must have less than 4 years of research experience, i.e., you should be an early-stage researcher.

You should have enthusiasm and commitment for doing research in an interdisciplinary collaborative environment with ability to work both independently and in a team.

Important : Although priority will be given to PhD candidates, postdoctoral candidates with a strong fit for the position who have not been engaged in a principal activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months in the last 3 years are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Offer

We offer :

A full-time PhD (or postdoctoral) position for 1 year. After a positive evaluation, the contract can be extended to 3 additional years (4 years in total).

Excellent guidance by our young, dynamic and multidisciplinary team.

State of the art research infrastructure.

A challenging job in a young, dynamic environment.

High level scientific training at a top-ranked university.

Being part of world-class research groups working on a high visibility European Project.

Interested?