PhD scholarship in veterinary immunology and vaccine development

Developing a multi-stage vaccine against paratuberculosis in cattle

Project description

A PhD scholarship in Veterinary immunology is available at the National Veterinary Institute located in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen. The Adaptive Immunology and Vaccinology group headed by Gregers Jungersen is engaged in studies of immune responses against various infectious diseases in farm animals and development of new diagnostic tests and vaccines.

In this project (granted by The Danish Research Council for Technology and Production Sciences) we collaborate with Statens Serum Institut, SSI, to formulate antigens from different phases of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection into a vaccine with targeted activation of protective cell-mediated immune responses.

The specific objectives of the PhD student will be to perform experimental MAP infections of calves and characterise the infection and vaccine induced immune responses and the short-term protective efficacy of the vaccine. Specific attention will be paid to a characterization of the cell-mediated immune responses employing polychromatic FACS analysis, ELISPOT and other relevant techniques. The employment is expected to start August 3rd 2009.

Qualifications

The optimal applicant has a Masters Degree in Veterinary Medicine or in Natural Science, preferably with a background in immunology.

The chosen candidate will be associated with the DTU PhD School for Veterinary Biology and Technology.

The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD programme office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77.

The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.

Further information

Please contact senior scientist Gregers Jungersen, (+45) 7234 6234 orgrju@vet.dtu.dk —

Application

We must have your online application by 16 March 2009. Please open the link “apply for this job online” and fill in the application form and attach your application and CV

The application must include a curriculum vitae and documentation of a completed Masters Degree including grades.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.