Postdoc researcher Immunopharmacology (1.0 fte)
(Utrecht), 38 hours per week Utrecht University

Job description
Postdoc researcher Immunopharmacology
Chemokines and their receptors are the key mediators involved in the
infiltration of leukocytes at sites of inflammation. In this Postdoc project we
describe two new promising approaches to arrest and even prevent IBD by
tackling: 1. the infiltration of innate immune cells: neutrophils via CXCR2 and
2. the infiltration of adaptive immune cells: Th1 lymphocytes via CXCR3.
Translational medicine experiments will be performed in vivo and in vitro on
immune cells in close collaboration with a PhD researcher:
Validating of role of CXCR2 and CXCR3 in in vivo models for IBD using available
and newly designed CXCR2 or CXCR3 antagonists or siRNA approach.
Determining of elevated CXCR2 and CXCR3 and their ligands in IBD (human
fluid/tissue samples)
Validating of effects of (newly designed) tools targeting novel chemotactic
receptor target in in vivo models for IBD.
You will work as a team member of the TI Pharma project T1.103 CXC chemokine
receptors: potential targets for chronic inflammatory diseases. The project team
comprises academic and industrial partners. In this case, the partners are: Free
university of Amsterdam (VU) and the biopharmaceutical companies Danone and
Schering Plough. You will attend a unique drug discovery education and training
program offered by TI Pharma.

Requirements
Doctorate
We are looking for a candidate with
a PhD degree or an equivalent in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or
Medical Sciences;
experience with cell culture, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis and
ELISA;
affinity with in vivo disease models;
permission to work with laboratory animals (Artikel 9 bevoegdheid; Wet op de
Dierproeven or an equivalent);
established and relevant research focus and continuing research plan;
international experience and willingness to build a Dutch and international
network;
ambition and creativeness;
an interest in performing research in a unique multidisciplinary setting.

Additional information about the job:
Research at the Division of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology deals mainly with
the immunopharmacology of the respiratory and gastrointestinal system. The
objective of this program is to gain deeper insight into the ways in which cells
and mediators of the immune system contribute to the malfunctioning of the
respiratory and gastrointestinal system in animals and humans. A better
understanding may lead to improvement of current therapy and to new therapy
strategies. The program takes an integrative approach from ‘molecular’ to
‘in vivo ’research.

The division Pharmacology & Pathophysiology is participating in a TIPharm-funded
platform “CXC chemokine receptors: potential targets for chronic inflammatory
diseases”. This TLR-project joins top scientists and industry, working
together on CXC chemokines.

Postdoc researcher Immunopharmacology

Organization
Utrecht University
Faculty of Science
The new Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry
and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and
is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty’s
academic programmes reflect developments in today’s society.

The Pharmaceutical Sciences are concerned with the discovery, development, and
use of medicines. The mission of scientists working in the field is to ensure
that new medications are both better and safer than our present
pharmacotherapeutic arsenal for life-threatening diseases such as cancer and
AIDS but also chronic illnesses that affect the quality of life, such as asthma,
arthritis, and mental or psychiatric disorders.
The Pharmaceutical Sciences are multidisciplinary in nature. They draw upon work
in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology, genomics, (bio)chemistry,
analytical chemistry, and the (veterinary) medical sciences. These contributing
disciplines are now in a dynamic phase, generating new insights and a wealth of
new technologies as they grow.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 3500 – 4000
Salaryscale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro’s a month 3755
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 2 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:
The candidate is offered a full-time position for 2 years.

The gross salary depends on qualifications and experience and ranges between €
2861,- to € 3755,- per month. (Salary scale 10).

The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus
of 8.3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid
parental leave, flexible employment conditions in which you may trade salary for
vacation days or vice versa. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment
Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the
candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr. Aletta Kraneveld
Telephone number: +31 (0) 30 253 4509

Prof Dr Gert Folkerts
Telephone number: +31 (0) 30 253 7353

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

* About the organization

Application
You can apply for this job before 13-12-2008 by sending your application to:

Faculty of Science
Personnel department
PO Box 80010
3508 TA Utrecht
The Netherlands
E-mail address: Science.Peno@…

Please send your application including a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae
and contact details of at least two references.

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 67808.

The short URL code for this job opening is: 00351-1774.
You can use this as a direct link to the job by adding the code to the URL
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