Neutrophils meet auto-antibodies: a joint PhD challenge

About the project

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling autoimmune disease with an unknown aetiology. The van Egmond and van Baarsen labs both work on unique research angles to better understand the pathophysiology of RA, which now come together in this project.

The van Baarsen lab is the only group in the world where lymph node (LN) biopsies from healthy individuals and patients with or at risk of inflammatory arthritis (IA) are collected and studied. They observed a high number of infiltrating neutrophils in lymph nodes of patients diagnosed with RA.

The van Egmond lab investigates the activation of neutrophils by (auto-)antibodies, and demonstrated that particularly antibodies of the IgA isotype potently activate neutrophils, and induce neutrophil migration. The finding that the presence of IgA autoantibodies predates clinical onset of disease has sparked interest for IgA in the rheumatology research field. Van Baarsen and van Egmond now join forces to investigate the hypothesis that IgA autoantibodies induce the recruitment of neutrophils into the lymph nodes of RA patients, which subsequently steers adaptive immune responses.

Both labs have complementarity tools to tackle this novel hypothesis. The van Baarsen lab has access to unique human samples, and the van Egmond lab recently created novel mouse models. By studying tissue samples from both early stage RA patients as well as (IgA)- autoantibody positive individuals at risk of disease, and through the use of novel and unique technologies, including spatial transcriptomics, this project aims to obtain fundamental new insights in the function of LN neutrophils and their role in RA. Ultimately, gained knowledge may lead to novel therapeutic targets to redirect skewed autoimmune responses in RA and possibly other autoimmune diseases.

The title of the project is "Lymph node neutrophils in inflammatory arthritis: the missing link between innate and adaptive autoimmunity?"

About the role

As a PhD student on this project you will:

• Establish detailed ex vivo spatial phenotyping of neutrophils in tissue samples (lymph node and synovium) from patients with RA and investigate their relation with clinical parameters including IgA and IgG autoantibody levels;
• Determine neutrophil function and activation by patient autoantibodies;
• Determine the in vivo role of neutrophils and IgA in inflammatory arthritis;
• Work closely with our team and collaborators on this project;
• Author manuscripts submitted to high quality peer-reviewed journals resulting in a PhD thesis;
• Present your work at conferences;
• Be involved in supervising students.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with:

• A master degree Biomedical Sciences, double master Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SUMMA, DuMa) or equivalent, with affinity for Immunology;
• Experience with cellular responses, molecular biology, and experience with animals (article 9) or patients (MD) is preferred;
• You have a flexible, proactive team spirit but you can also work independently;
• You have excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

Our offer

• A jump start to your research career.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrows healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and your own research project, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• A fixed term contract for 1 year. With a positive evaluation, this will be prolonged with 3 years. The position is for 4 years.
• The opportunity to develop further such as through training.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 2,901 to € 3,677 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience).
• In addition to a good basic salary, you will receive an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance. Calculate your net salary here.
• Pension accrual at BeFrank, a modern, responsible and fairly priced pension.
• Excellent accessibility by public transport and reimbursement of a large part of your travel costs. We also have sufficient parking spaces at location AMC and a good bicycle scheme.

About the workplace

AMC Medical Research (AMR) is located at location AMC. AMR supports scientific research in non-profit settings. AMR provides researchers with everything they need to excel. For example, AMR offers principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders guidance in the areas of project management, finance and human resources. Legal support is also provided for medical-scientific research projects. Watch the video below for more information.

Start your new job at AMR!

For this position, we are hiring two PhD students who will elucidate the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. One of them will work on location VUmc and the other will work on location AMC. Both candidates will frequently interact and collaborate in order to make the project fully translational from bench to bedside.

The two candidates will be working in an international, multidisciplinary team with young and enthusiastic researchers. The project is a joint research program between the group of Dr. Lisa van Baarsen (Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Centre (ARC), within the Lab of Experimental Immunology, AMC) and the group of Prof. Marjolein van Egmond (department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VUmc). The van Egmond lab has ample experience working with human neutrophils, and has established multiple functional assays, and relevant mouse models. The van Baarsen lab has significant experience in collecting and analysing patient samples. Through the synergistic collaboration of the van Egmond and van Baarsen groups, a quick translation of pioneering scientific evidence into a clinical setting can be made.

Lets meet

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Lisa van Baarsen, via e.g.vanbaarsen@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, Recruitment Advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.