Are you an ambitious (pre)clinical immunologist in the field of infectious diseases, eager to contribute to better pandemic preparedness? This is your opportunity to make a difference!

Postdoc broad-reactive immunity for pandemic preparedness

Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)

  • PhD / Gepromoveerd
  • 36 hours
  • Locatie: Bilthoven, Utrecht
  • Scale 10: min. €3.404 – max. €5.389 (bruto)
  • Apply before 14 februari 2025

Jobdescription

At our Center for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinations (IIV), we conduct groundbreaking research into immune responses to vaccinations and infections with the goal of enhancing disease protection. As part of an innovative pandemic preparedness program, we are exploring broadly reactive immunity to potential pandemic viruses, such as poxviruses, influenza viruses and coronaviruses. Join our team to help make the world healthier and safer!

What will you do

You will be involved in a project investigating broadly reactive (cellular) immunity to poxviruses and influenza viruses. This will include studying the presence and characteristics of broadly reactive immune responses in a clinical Mpox vaccine study. Additionally, you will co-design, organize, and conduct preclinical immunity and challenge studies focused on investigating broadly reactive pox vaccines. You will also compile and analyze existing data from preclinical influenza vaccine studies, synthesizing manuscripts for publication. You will have access to state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing and flow cytometry facilities.

Furthermore, your role will involve:

  • Collaborating with and instructing a team of technicians, biotechnicians, and a bioinformatician;
  • Performing experiments under BSL-2 conditions;
  • Conducting assays to analyze virus-specific immune responses (e.g., ELISPOT, high-dimensional flow cytometry, cell sorting, Next Generation Sequencing (including RNAseq), and ELISAs), as well as performing virological assays;
  • Analyzing (in collaboration with a bioinformatician) and interpreting data, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting results at the institute and at (inter)national conferences;
  • Collaborating with a team of scientists focused on broadly reactive immunity to respiratory infections and working together with related projects within the IIV center.

The department

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has been at the forefront of protecting public health and consumer safety for over a hundred years. RIVM is a knowledge institute that plays a vital role in society, carrying out independent research and providing trusted policy advice to the government regarding health and environmental issues. We address a wide range of topics, including infectious diseases, vaccinations, population studies, lifestyle, nutrition, drugs, the environment, sustainability, and safety. This work is carried out through research, advice, and implementation, with numerous reports published annually.

The Center for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines (IIV) at RIVM serves as the government's knowledge center in the field of immunology of infectious diseases and vaccines. The core mission of IIV is to provide information and advice on vaccine effectiveness, vaccination strategies, and immune responses to infectious diseases, supporting government policy and informing the public. Research at IIV focuses on optimizing the effectiveness and safety of current and future vaccination programs, immunosurveillance, age-related efficacy of immune responses, and identifying correlates of protection. The center collaborates intensively with other RIVM knowledge centers and national and international partners specializing in immunology, microbiology, epidemiology, and outbreak control of infectious diseases.

Within IIV, the Department of Immune Mechanisms - Immunological Models (IIM) employs immunological models to support the core mission of IIV.

Unique to this job

We are an international, dynamic, and highly motivated team of scientists at various stages of our careers, united by a strong drive to advance immunological research for the benefit of public health. We combine expertise in virology, immunology, and bioinformatics, and we believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork.

More information

Are you interested in this position, but do you first have some questions? Feel free to reach out to Jørgen de Jonge, PhD | RIVM, Department Head of Immune Mechanisms - Immunological Models (IIM), via +31 6 311 423 89.

Your profile

Who you are

We are seeking an experienced immunologist with substantial preclinical research expertise in the field of immunology of infectious diseases. You are results-oriented, highly motivated, and eager to learn and tackle new challenges. You can work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You have a positive and enthusiastic attitude, showing respect toward colleagues and collaborators, and actively participating in scientific discussions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential in this collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment. You understand that our research addresses public health questions, and you are able to interpret results accordingly.

Furthermore, you have:

  • A PhD in viro-immunology;
  • Extensive experience with clinical and preclinical studies and immunological techniques (e.g., ELISPOT, flow cytometry);
  • Experience with virological assays and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS);
  • A willingness to work long hours during preclinical experiments;
  • A responsible attitude and an open communication style.

Employment conditions

Salary Scale: 10
Monthly Salary: Min €3,404 – Max €5,389 (gross)
Employment Type: Fixed-term contract with the prospect of a permanent position
Contract Duration: 48 months
Minimum Hours per Week: 36
Maximum Hours per Week: 36

Additional employment benefits

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (IKB), which consists of 16.5% of your gross annual salary in money and time. The IKB allows you to customize your employment benefits to suit your needs. You can choose to have part of your salary paid out at a time of your choosing, convert the budget into extra leave days, or use it for tax-friendly purposes.

The Dutch government values personal growth and career development and offers various opportunities for professional advancement. Additional benefits include study facilities, corporate fitness programs, full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave.

Special Remarks

We ask for a cover letter at the RIVM. In doing so, it is helpful to set out in it your motivation for the specific position and the RIVM, rather than a summary of your resume. Need tips?4 tips for a good cover letter - Working for the Netherlands.

The recruitment and selection process generally looks like this:

  • When we see a match, we invite you for an initial interview.
  • Is that positive from both sides? Then we will contact you for a second interview.
  • Do we both like it? Then we will conclude with an employment interview.
  • Because working at the RIVM entails social responsibility, we will ask you for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).
  • It may be that we choose a different method of selection, because that suits the role or the target group better. We will always inform you what that process looks like.

Special circumstances:

  • Are you already employed by the national government? We encourage your career step within the central government.
  • If you are applying as a “from-work-to-work candidate” or as a “redeployment candidate,” please include a copy of your designation letter.
  • If you are currently working for the central government through a temporary employment agency, please mention this in your letter.
  • The RIVM is committed to employing employees who fall within the target group of the Jobs Agreement Act. Do you fall into this target group and are you in the target group register? Then we also invite you to respond! Want to know more?Then click here! Together with you we will see if and how you can possibly fill this position.
  • At the RIVM, you are welcome just as you are. We are convinced that diversity in a team makes cooperation and outcomes stronger. In addition, employee involvement in employee participation is highly valued.

Good to know:

  • This job posting will go offline after the closing date. Would you like to read it again later, for example before your job interview? Then don't forget to download and save the text.
  • We follow the Recruiter Code and handle your personal data with care.
  • For a full picture of applicants' business backgrounds, we sometimes consult LinkedIn.
  • This vacancy is on http://www.werkenvoornederland.nl/ with a fixed closing date. It is possible that after this date this vacancy is still (unintentionally) findable on various job boards. Be aware that the closing date on http://www.werkenvoornederland.nl/ is leading.

Do we ask for a motivation letter in the job posting, and could you use some help writing it? Check out these tips.

Information about applying at RIVM:

  • Upon hiring, we always require a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
  • If you are applying as a "work-to-work candidate" or "redeployment candidate," please include a copy of your designation letter.
  • If you are currently working for the Dutch government through a temp or secondment agency, please mention this in your application.
  • RIVM is committed to hiring employees who fall under the target group of the Job Agreement Act. Want to learn more? Click here.
  • At RIVM, you are welcome as you are. We believe that diversity strengthens teamwork and results. Employee involvement in decision-making is also highly valued.
  • We follow the Recruiter Code and handle your personal data with care.
  • To gain a full understanding of applicants' professional backgrounds, we may check LinkedIn.
  • This vacancy will be removed after the closing date, so be sure to download and save it. After this date, the job posting may still be visible on various job boards, but the deadline on werkenvoornederland.nl is final.

 

Rijksoverheid - Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)

Adres
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven
Website
https://www.werkenvoornederland.nl
Contactpersoon
Naam: Jørgen de Jonge, PhD | RIVM, Department Head of Immune Mechanisms - Immunological Models (IIM)
Telefoonnummer: +31 6 311 423 89

Apply Now?

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) invites you to apply via the application button on their website. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, innovative, and enhances job satisfaction. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to apply.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Keywords: Vacancy, Researcher, Viro-immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, PhD, Gepromoveerd, Full-time, Bilthoven, Utrecht.

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