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Technician Position (ft) Development and evaluation of new anti-HIV drugs in HIS mice

Technician Position (ft)

Development and evaluation of new anti-HIV drugs in HIS mice

based in Amsterdam


Position

A technician position (full time) is available to work on HIV- and antiretroviral therapy-induced non-infectious co-morbidity (FP7 European program) in mouse models of the human immune system (HIS).

The applicant will join the laboratory of Experimental Virology led by Prof. Ben Berkhout within the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and will work in close collaboration with Prof. Andries Kalsbeek (Experimental Endocrinology).

Background
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.

The applicant will analyze viral and metabolic parameters linked to the exposure of HIS mice to HIV and/or antiretroviral therapy. He/she will work together with a post-doctoral researcher at the laboratory of Experimental Virology and with the team of Prof. Kalsbeek.

Requirements
The applicant must be a trained biotechnician with research experience in molecular biology assays (qPCR, Western blot) and mouse handling. Experience with immmunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy, radio-immunoassays, humanized mouse models (HIS mice), work in level 3 laboratory or with flow cytometry are important additional assets. Good skills in verbal and written communication in English are required.

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)