2 Postdoctoral Researchers (m/f) Rapid Identification of Auto-Antigens in Autoimmune Diseases

Employer
BioMed X Innovation Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

About BioMed X
The BioMed X Innovation Center is an exciting new collaboration model at the interface between academia and industry. At our center, distinguished early career scientists recruited from all over the world are working jointly on novel pre-clinical research projects in the fields of biomedicine, molecular biology, cell biology, diagnostics, and consumer care. These interdisciplinary project teams are conducting groundbreaking biomedical research in an open innovation lab facility on the campus of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. They are working under the guidance of experienced mentors from academia and industry while expanding their scientific network and receiving entrepreneurship and leadership training.
Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner: The sponsor of this call for application is Janssen Research & Development.

What we are looking for
Applications are welcome from early career scientists with an outstanding track record in the field of:
Rapid Identification of Auto-Antigens in Autoimmune Diseases
Janssen Research & Development is seeking new platform technologies or concepts which lead to identification of antigens recognized by T cells involved in autoimmune responses.
Proposed experimental approaches should include the development and validation of novel antigen screening platforms that can rapidly decode the specificities of autoreactive T cells from patient samples. Ideally, the identified T cell epitopes should link back to relevant tissue-specific proteins that are targeted in disease. Screening approaches may incorporate a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico (bioinformatics) methods. As part of the project, the novel approach should be validated in a disease context of organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 1 diabetes (T1D), multiple sclerosis (MS), or psoriasis. Validation in context of deciphering novel tumor T cell epitopes in immune-oncology may also be considered, however the approach should be exclusive of simply identifying mutated neo-epitopes and related screening strategies. Proposals building on very original ideas supported by first experimental findings are particularly encouraged.
Candidates for postdoctoral positions are expected to have several years of research experience and a certain degree of specialization in one or more relevant cutting-edge technologies.

What we offer
The posts are offered for an initial term of two years, with the possibility of prolongation for up to two additional years, and an option for a permanent position.
As part of the research group in the above-mentioned field the posts include a generous funding package covering salaries, consumables, services, travels, as well as access to the core facilities of neighboring research institutions and biotechnology companies in Heidelberg.
There is flexibility over starting dates, but successful applicants are welcome to take up post starting April 1, 2018.

Application & Selection Process
Applications are to be made online at apply.bio.mx.
Only applications received before December 10, 2017 will be considered. As part of the online application procedure candidates will be required to enter detailed information about their previous work and submit a competitive project proposal.
After a first selection round, candidates will be invited to a five-day innovation boot camp in Heidelberg. The invitation includes full coverage of travel expenses, accommodation, sightseeing, and food for the entire workshop which will take place from February 23 to 27, 2018. With guidance of experienced mentors, candidates will jointly work on their project proposals and present them in front of a jury on the final day. Successful candidates will be offered a position at the BioMed X Innovation Center.