Dr B Favre
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare and severe auto-immune disease, associated with an underlying malignancy. It is characterized by a humoral immune response against various components of desmosomes, predominantly desmosomal cadherins and plakins. Moreover, PNP sera often contain auto-antibodies against the extracellular protease inhibitor alpha 2 macroglobulin-like 1 (A2ML1), the expression of which is restricted to a few tissues, such as the epidermis. The aims of the project are to determine the repertoire of B cells from PNP patients, the exact physiological function(s) of A2ML1 in the skin and the role of anti-A2ML1 autoantibodies in PNP pathology.
This research scheme is part of a joint Swiss-German research project, entitled Pemphigusfrom Pathogenesis to Therapeutics (Pegasus, DFG FOR 2497).
The project will be performed in collaboration with the Pegasus research units, the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (Bellinzona) and core facilities of the University of Bern.
Requirements
Applicants must hold a Swiss/European academic degree in Natural Sciences (MSc or equivalent) to be acceptable for registration as a PhD student at a Swiss University. Students will have to be admitted to the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bern (http://www.gcb.unibe.ch).
Experience in either cell culture, biochemistry, or immunology would be an advantage.
Entrance upon April 1st, 2018. The position is funded for 3 years.
Applications (short letter of interest including a brief statement of your specific qualification for this position, a CV, copies of diplomas, and the name and contact details of one or two references) should be sent as a single PDF file by e-mail to: [Email Address Removed]
Further information
http://www.unibe.ch http://www.dkf.unibe.ch/research/research_groups/dermatology/index_eng.html
Funding Notes
The salary will be according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Foundation for Science: http://www.snf.ch/SiteCollectionDocuments/Annex_XII_Ausfuehrungsreglement_Beitragsreglement_E.pdf