PhD fellowship in “Testing new tool-based gene therapy of Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in a human 3D skin model” at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

PhD fellowship in “Testing new tool-based gene therapy of Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in a human 3D skin model” at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Health University of Copenhagen (Wandall group)

The PhD is part of the EU funded “Gene Therapy of Rare Diseases” Doctoral Network (GetRadi) which is a MSCA Doctoral Network .

Within the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA), University of Copenhagen is offering one PhD position for a Doctoral Candidate (DC), commencing on 1 March 2023. The position is for 36 months and is funded by Horizon Europe grant agreement no. 101072427

The successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie International PhD training network. This interdisciplinary doctoral position is based at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Wandall group, at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The position will be supervised by Professor Hans H. Wandall.

For further information, applicants may contact the main supervisor Hans H. Wandall, e-mail: [email protected] , direct phone: +45 35335553.

The GetRadi Doctoral Network

Rare diseases are affecting more than 30 Mio people in the EU and are in most cases caused by genetic mutations. The only curative treatment for patients suffering from these diseases is gene therapy, but many technical problems still need to be solved before safe and affordable somatic gene therapy will be a clinical routine. Aim of the EU funded Doctoral Network “Gene Therapy of Rare Diseases” (GetRadi) is to train10 PhD students to become exceptional experts in gene therapy of rare diseases. In their research projects, the students will aim to overcome major technical challenges that still prevent the widespread use of somatic gene therapy in the clinic. All projects are embedded in a tight and synergistic academic-industrial collaboration to develop marketable products for the application of gene therapy. This GetRadi training will allow young scientists to spearhead future research efforts in gene therapy of rare diseases.

More information can be found on the GetRadi’s home page www.getradi.ku.dk

The project

For the clinical application of genome editing, the genome editing tools must reach the target cells efficiently and selectively. Viruses, lipid nanoparticles, and viral particles are currently investigated and optimized to execute this task, but genetic engineering of tissues in vivo is still challenging. This project aims to test current improvements for HDR-dependent CRISPR genome editing developed by our consortium (different small molecules, different Cas9 fusion proteins, different viral vectors) on human tissues using 3D skin tissue model systems built with keratinocytes that carry a Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) causing mutation. The project also involves applying new genetic engineering strategies to conditions affecting glycogenes and cell-specific applications through targeting glycans.

The group

Prof. Hans H. Wandall’s group is part of Copenhagen Center of Glycomic’s at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Health University of Copenhagen.

https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/wandall-group/

The department:

The focus of the department is the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. With a firm foundation in the basic function of the normal and differentiating cell an understanding of the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms behind disease and aging is sought. We aim to exploit new discoveries and mechanistic insight as guidelines for translational medicine in terms of novel principles for treatment and diagnosis of disease in an internationally competitive, inspiring, productive scientific environment exploiting state of the art (and beyond) methodology.

Copenhagen Center for Glycomics

CCG is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and training Center located on the 10th floor of the new Mærsk Tower science building and part of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. CCG has state-of-the-art facilities for mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, cell engineering, and glycan arrays, and group leaders hold diverse expertise in all areas of glycosciences.Our core valuables include glycoproteome data and bioinformatics tools, validated gene editing tools, glycoengineered cell libraries and 3D tissue models.

Required qualifications

• Master degree in life sciences.

• Curious mindset and enthusiasm for research
• Good English skills, written and spoken
• Collaborative, interactive mindset
• Experience in molecular biology and 3D cell culture systems, as well as an active interest in gene editing and glycobiology is an advantage. 

• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the start of your employment at UCPH. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• You must not be in possession of a doctoral degree when starting your employment at UCPH.

Applicants will only be considered for the position if they fulfill both of the above eligibility criteria.

Terms of employment

The position as PhD fellow is full time and lasts 3 years. It is funded by Horizon Europe and will start 1 March 2023.

application for the specific project to the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the requirements from the European Commission related to the MSCA programme and the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around 28,300

DKK/roughly 3,820 EUR (taxable) plus pension (October 2022 level). In addition, a mobility allowance (gross amount 600 EUR per month from the EU to UCPH) and (if eligible) also a family allowance (gross amount 660 EUR per month from the EU to UCPH).

Application procedure
Your application, written in English, may be submitted electronically by clicking “Apply now” below and should include the following documents in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database . Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
• Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
• Publication list (if relevant)
• Other information to consider: References and recommendations (to consider)

The deadline for applications is 15 November 2022, 23.59pm CET

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to him/herself.

Candidates will be assessed and short listed for interviews, which are supposed to take place mid-November. All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.