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stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD positions within Immunotherapy of Cancer and Drug Delivery (Four fully funded)

jobbeskrivelse:

The group of colloids and biologic surfaces at DTU Nanotech invites applications from excellent candidates for several 3-year PhD positions funded by the Novo Nordisk synergy grant.

Cancer research have firmly established the importance of interplay between immune system, stromal cells and cancer cells in progression or eradication of cancer. The research group is focused on improving drug delivery of immunotherapeutics for cancer therapy. The open PhD positions are within the different focus areas of the group with a ambitious focus of inventing novel methods to improve cancer immunotherapy.

Responsibilities and tasks

The PhD positions are in the following projects, two PhD positions are available for project A.

• Optimizing cancer treatment with localized immunotherapy. This project is primarily focused on remodulating the tumor micro-environment with local treatment of immunostimulatory drugs formulated in a sustained drug delivery platform. Several anti-cancer therapies will be investigated in combination with this platform technology. A secondary scope of the project is stable transfection of murine cancer cell lines to express proteins that enables new ways to evaluate treatments.
• Optimization of adoptive cell transfer in the preclinical setting: development of an in vivo imaging system. Adoptive T-cell transfer has gained territory as an efficacious and feasible treatment against several haematological malignancies, while the success of treating solid tumors has been questionable. Current preclinical model evaluations have several shortcomings. Continuous imaging of the cells would greatly enhance the evaluation of T-cell engraftment following treatment. The Primary scope of this project is to perform stable transfection of immune cells to allow for non-invasive imaging and tracking in vivo.
• Developing a novel method using nanoparticles to expand cancer-specific T-cells in vitro. T-cell therapies require maturation and expansion of cancer-specific T-cells, which usually come at extremely low frequency. The current methods to activate and expand T-cells have several drawbacks. In this project a novel method using nanoparticles as synthetic 'antigen presenting cells' will be developed to optimize and enrich cancer-specific T-cells. The nanoparticles will be formulated to function as engineered antigen presenting particles with optimal co-stimulatory molecules for the T-cells. The project includes characterization of the nanoparticles, the in vitro system and potentially in vivo evaluation.

We seek highly motivated candidates to be part of an international level research team. You should be able to work independently as well as part of a team.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering.

In addition, applicants should:

• Have a master's degree in relevant life sciences, chemistry or equivalent (strong focus on immuno-oncology is a plus but not a prerequisite)
• Have excellent communication skills in English, oral and written
• Be comfortable in working within interdisciplinary fields

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules/PhDguide

Assessment

The assessment of applications will be made by Postdoc Lars Ringgaard Petersen, Postdoc Anders Elias Hansen and Professor Thomas Lars Andresen.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here. http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Postdoc Lars Ringgaard Petersen, tel.: +45 6141 4175 or larsp (at) nanotech.dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Nanotech at http://www.nanotech.dtu.dk. http://www.nanotech.dtu.dk

Application

Please submit your online application no later than 12 October 2018 (local time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here) http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/phd/Applicant/Pre_acceptance-1-

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

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

DTU Nanotech - the Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology - is situated in the northern part of Copenhagen. DTU Nanotech is a centre of excellence in micro- and nanotechnology utilising sciences across the traditional boundaries of technology, thereby enabling innovative solutions for the benefit of society. DTU Nanotech has approx. 270 staff members. With 40 % international employees, the department constitutes an international environment.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.


numberOfPosts: 1

jobCategoriesCodes_0: http://data.europa.eu/esco/isco/C2310

abstractJV_contact_0: Please apply using one of the specified channels

positionTypeCode: directhire

contractTypeCodes_0: fulltime

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

source: DK-STAR