European Network Linking Informatics and Genomics of Helper T cells in Tissues
ENLIGHT-TEN+, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN–ETN) funded in the framework of the HORIZON 2020 program, is aiming to link informatics and genomics of helper T cells in tissues. A crucial missing link in our current research environment is the lack of qualified individuals who possess the cellular immunology skills to recognise and define important scientific questions amenable to -omics approaches and also the bioinformatic expertise to interrogate and interpret the resulting big data appropriately. Thus, our mission is to provide cross-disciplinary training for a new generation of enthusiastic researchers who have in-depth understanding of T cell immunology and are also capable to handle large datasets. Our network of 15 beneficiaries from 10 European countries combines ample expertise on T cell biology with state-of-the-art technologies generating big data, cutting-edge bioinformatic tools including artificial intelligence, preclinical models and samples from patient cohorts. ENLIGHT-TEN+ will identify microenvironmental factors shaping the functional properties of tissue-resident T cells, which offer important therapeutic potential in various human autoimmune diseases, making them a key target for pharmaceutical companies. 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be empowered to push our knowledge of tissue-resident T cells beyond the state-of-the-art which will enable the identification of novel biomarkers and support the development of advanced therapeutic concepts. ENLIGHT-TEN+ will combine individual strengths of innovative laboratories and enterprises from complementary disciplines to provide unique interdisciplinary training as an ideal stepping-stone for the ESRs to enter and strengthen Europe’s academia as well as pharmaceutical and bioinformatics companies, thereby placing them at the forefront of this emerging field.
More information on the ENLIGHT-TEN+ consortium, available projects and the recruitment process can be found here:
15 Early Stage Researcher Positions:
· Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (Braunschweig, Germany)
ESR1: Epigenome shaping of intestinal TRM cell subsets (Laboratory of Jochen Huehn)
· Medical University of Vienna (Vienna, Austria)
ESR2: Impact of CD4 lineage T cells on CD8+ T cell homeostasis (Laboratory of Wilfried Ellmeier)
· Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (Munich, Germany)
ESR3: Shaping of TCR repertoire by thymic B cells and its impact on autoimmunity (Laboratory of Ludger Klein)
· Institutio de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (Lisboa, Portugal)
ESR4: Molecular transition in the development of tissue-resident T cells (Laboratories of Luis Graca and Marc Veldhoen)
· Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicinale (Paris, France)
ESR5: Cell programming and metabolism of tissue-resident Tregs at steady state and during inflammatory diseases (Laboratory of Benoit Salomon)
· University College London (London, United Kingdom)
ESR6: Can spontaneous autoimmunity help us to understand the side-effects of checkpoint immunotherapy? (Laboratory of Lucy Walker)
· Bayer AG (Wuppertal, Germany)
ESR7: Multi-species comparison of effector and regulatory T cell phenotypes and functions for routine preclinical immunotoxicological evaluation of immunomodulating therapeutic drug candidates (Laboratory of Pascale Buchmann)
· Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
ESR8: Modulation of TIGIT induction and maintenance in tissue-resident effector/memory T cells in health and disease (Laboratory of Janneke Samsom)
· University of Tartu (Tartu, Estonia)
ESR9: Epigenetic biomarkers for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Laboratory of Part Peterson)
· The Babraham Institute (Cambridge, United Kingdom)
ESR10: Lung germinal centres as trigger of autoimmune responses (Laboratory of Michelle Linterman)
· University of Turku (Turku, Finland)
ESR11: Computational tools for analysing disease and treatment signatures (Laboratory of Laura Elo)
· IBM Research GmbH (Rueschlikon, Switzerland)
ESR12: Mathematical and computational models of T cell-mediated immunity (Laboratory of Maria Rodriguez Martinez)
· Genome Research Limited (Cambridge, United Kingdom)
ESR13: Dissection of CD4+ T cell states across human tissues (Laboratory of Sarah Teichmann)
· Qiagen (Aarhus, Denmark)
ESR14: Bioinformatics solution for identification of epigenetic signatures in TRM cell subsets (Laboratory of Leif Schauser)
· Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
ESR15: Dynamics of T cell transcriptome and eQTLs in response to stimulations (Laboratory of Yang Li)
Application deadline is 15th March, 2021.
Eligibility criteria
The candidate holds a master degree in a relevant discipline (Biology, Medical/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology, Bioinformatics, Mathematics, Physics or another relevant discipline), or will receive this before the appointment date. She or he received her/his master degree < 4 years before the date of appointment and has not been awarded a PhD degree. The candidate can be of any nationality, but did not reside or carry out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately prior to the appointment date. The candidate must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of selection in the same appointing international organization. The candidates must be available to start their project no later than 31st August, 2021.
Fellowship
The monthly gross salary will be in accordance with the EC Marie Skłodowska-Curie rates and will be paid by the host organisation. The salary may be subjected to tax according to applicable national regulations. The positions are aimed at being full-time and are designed for a duration of 36 months.
Additional information
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No.: 955321.
In accordance with the European Charter and Code of Conduct, ENLIGHT-TEN+ is committed to an open, transparent, impartial, equitable and merit-based recruitment procedure. By submitting their application, ENLIGHT-TEN+ candidates agree to the storage of their personal data by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research. In addition, copies of all evaluations made by project supervisors at every stage of the recruitment process will be retained. Upon demand, data will be communicated to EU officials. Personal data and related documents of all applicants will be kept by the ENLIGHT-TEN+ Consortium until completion of the Project.