In the framework of the NextImmune2 Doctoral Training Unit, the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) are recruiting 19 PhD students to work on research projects focusing on next generation immunoscience.
This is the second edition of a competitive PhD training programme supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and aiming to train competent immunologists in an interdisciplinary environment. These 4-year full-time positions will start at the beginning of 2023, after a comprehensive selection process. The selected candidates will conduct their research either at the LIH or at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine and the Department of Life Sciences and Medicine of the University of Luxembourg.
Next generation research in immunology
Coordinated by Prof. Dirk Brenner (LIH/LCSB) at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, this Doctoral Training Unit (DTU) bridges classical immunology and data science. By integrating the use of “omics” technologies and clinical data, as well as fundamental and translational biomedical knowledge, NextImmune2 wishes to tackle next generation challenges, from wet lab procedures to big data analysis.
This research programme explores two aspects of immune regulation to broaden our understanding of the body’s immune response: immunometabolism and systems immunology. The different projects conducted within the DTU study the immune-metabolic crosstalk through the lens of diverse human diseases and disease models. They use systems biomedicine approaches to uncover new pathogenic mechanisms and to unravel the complexity of the immune system. Their long-term objective is to facilitate the development of innovative diagnostic solutions and personalised treatment strategies for severe human immune-mediated diseases.
An interdisciplinary training environment
NextImmune2 relies on the expertise of its host institutions to train future researchers at the interface between disciplines such as biology, computer science, mathematics and epidemiology. PhD candidates are embedded into multidisciplinary teams and get to learn a variety of scientific skills from quantitative data sampling and analysis of large datasets to computational modelling and experimental validation.
The programme allows the candidates to obtain a PhD degree in biology with a specialisation in either immunometabolism, systems immunology, fundamental immunology, chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, neuroimmunology, molecular and cellular allergology or epigenetics applied to immunology.
On a wider scale, the R&D landscape in Luxembourg provides a dynamic and multicultural environment in the heart of Europe, with important financial and organisational resources. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and excellent opportunities for early-stage researchers in life sciences and systems biomedicine.
Four exciting projects at the LCSB
Within the NextImmune2 DTU, several research projects are supervised by Principal Investigators at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB). Among the four projects based at the LCSB, two focus on the links between neurodegeneration – in diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – inflammation and the immune system. The other two explore respectively the role of immune cells in diabetes and the effects of the aging microbiome:
- “Identification of NLRP3 and NLRP1 mediated regulation of microglial immune metabolism in models of ageing and neurodegeneration”, coordinated by Prof. Michael Heneka
- “Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 at the interface between cellular metabolism and inflammation in microglia from Parkinson’s disease patients”, coordinated by Prof. Anne Grünewald
- “Deciphering microglia metabolism and neuronal homeostasis in type 2 diabetes”, coordinated by Prof. Jens Schwamborn
- “Systemic Effects of the Aging Microbiome on Metabolism and Health”, coordinated by Associate Prof. Evan Williams
Find the detailed description of each project on the NextImmune2 website.
Apply online until 1 September 2022.
NextImmune2 is funded over a period of 6.5 years by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) through the competitive PRIDE programme and, in addition, through intramural funds from the Luxembourg Ministry of Higher Education and Research.