HIV- and antiretroviral therapy-induced non-infectious comorbidity and generation of human monoclonal antibodies in humanized mice

Post-doctoral position (ft)

HIV- and antiretroviral therapy-induced non-infectious comorbidity and generation of human monoclonal antibodies in humanized mice

based in Amsterdam

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Position

A post-doctoral position (full time) is available to work on HIV- and antiretroviral therapy-induced non-infectious co-morbidity (FP7 European program) and vaccination strategies for generation of human monoclonal antibodies (SME-driven project) in mouse models of the human immune system (HIS).

The applicant will work within two groups within the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), led by Prof. Ben Berkhout (experimental virology) and Prof. Hergen Spits (human B cell physiology, HIS mouse technology), respectively. She/he will work in close collaboration with Prof. Andries Kalsbeek (Experimental Endocrinology) and Prof. Peter Reiss (EU FP7 consortium coordinator).

Background

The applicant will supervise two projects making use of HIS mice:

(1) Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has reduced the incidence of AIDS and its associated mortality, and has markedly and sustainably improved survival for patients living with HIV. As a consequence, morbidity and mortality in these individuals is increasingly a result of age-associated non-communicable co-morbidities (AANCC) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, or neurocognitive disorders. The applicant will use HIS mice to elucidate the causative link between HIV infection and AANCC. Metabolic changes, biomarkers of innate and adaptive immune activation, inflammation and ageing will be assessed in the HIS mice after HIV-1 infection and/or cART.

(2) Human B cell responses induced in HIS mice can in theory permit to generate human monoclonal antibodies on demand against any antigen, but these responses remain currently sub-optimal. The applicant will screen new, optimized HIS mouse models and vaccination strategies to obtain improved B cell responses against various target antigens with clinical relevance.

The applicant will be in charge of the generation of HIS mice, set up of HIV infection and/or cART treatment in these animals and vaccination procedures. He/she will analyze viral/immunological parameters linked to the infection/vaccination and work in close collaboration with several European laboratories for HIS mouse sample distribution, data generation and analysis. The tasks will also include the coordination of the analysis and communication of results, including by preparing manuscripts for publication, as well as contributing to the reports required by the European Commission.

Requirements

The applicant must have a Ph.D. with extensive research experience in the fields of humanized mouse models and HIV-associated (immune)-pathophysiology, be strongly motivated by the study of virus/host interactions, and have good communication skills in English (verbal and writing). Experience on infectious diseases and/or antiviral immunity, ability to work independently, lead a small group, as well as within a collaborative network are important additional assets.

Applications including a curriculum vitae, a cover letter detailing your skills and motivations, and references which may be approached for further information, should be sent before June 19, 2012 by email to:

Prof. Ben Berkhout (b.berkhout@amc.uva.nl)

and in cc to:

Prof. Andries Kalsbeek (a.kalsbeek@amc.uva.nl) 

Prof. Peter Reiss (p.reiss@amc.uva.nl)

Prof. Hergen Spits (h.spits@amc.uva.nl)