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We invite applications from highly motivated and talented researchers for a 2-year postdoctoral position in advanced skin models, cellular immunology, and spatial transcriptomics, starting August 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project Overview
This position is part of the LEO Foundation-funded research project titled “Exploring Autoimmune Skin Diseases with Immune-Integrated 3D Skin Models”, led by Prof. Jonathan Brewer (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SDU), Dr. Mike Barnkob and Prof. Torben Barington (Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital - OUH).

The overarching goal of this ambitious project is to develop cutting-edge, immune-integrated three-dimensional skin models that accurately mimic both healthy human skin and diseased skin affected by Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). CLE is a challenging autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory skin lesions triggered by complex interactions between immune cells and skin tissue, exacerbated by external stimuli such as UV radiation and mechanical stress. Current understanding and therapeutic strategies are limited due to inadequate human model systems capable of replicating these intricate immunological processes.

Using advanced bioengineering methods and innovative molecular tools, this project aims to:

  • Develop robust 3D skin-on-a-chip models incorporating genetically engineered keratinocytes and T cells with specific autoimmune disease relevance (SmB antigen specificity).
  • Utilize advanced spatial transcriptomics technology (Multiplexed Error-Robust Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization - MERFISH) to map single-cell gene expression dynamics spatially and temporally, elucidating disease mechanisms at unprecedented resolution.
  • Investigate the impact of mechanical forces and UV radiation on skin integrity and immune activation within these sophisticated skin models, identifying key molecular regulators and mechanotransduction pathways involved in disease progression.
  • Generate translational insights into CLE pathogenesis, directly informing the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.

The successful postdoctoral researcher will be at the forefront of these innovative efforts, driving the development and characterization of critical cellular components and methodologies that bridge basic biological research and clinical applications. The candidate will work closely with others in a dynamic interdisciplinary team, bridging bioimaging, T-cell immunology, basic skin biology, immune cell engineering, and multiomics analysis.

Your Role
The appointed researcher will be responsible for:

  • Purify and culture primary T cells, and characterize their phenotype using flow cytometry.
  • Engineering human cell lines: Developing and validating HLA-typed keratinocytes and T-cell lines expressing disease-specific T-cell receptors and HLA molecules, using lentiviral transduction.
  • Help integrating engineered cells into sophisticated 3D skin-on-chip models.
  • Coordinating MERFISH-based spatial transcriptomics experiments and analyses, in close collaboration with DaMBIC and additional students.
  • Contributing significantly to project deliverables, publications, and scientific dissemination.

The position uniquely bridges the Advanced Bioimaging Group (SDU) and the Centre for Immunotherapy of Haematological Cancer Odense (CITCO, OUH) led by Prof. Torben Barington, providing interdisciplinary exposure to cutting-edge research facilities in imaging, immunology, tissue engineering, and bioinformatics.

Qualifications
We seek applicants with the following qualifications:

Essential:

  • PhD in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a closely related discipline.
  • Extensive experience with mammalian cell culture, including purification of T cells from PBMCs, and standard molecular biology techniques.
  • Experitise in flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
  • Expertise in genetic engineering (e.g. lentiviral vectors and transduction of primary cells).
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills, with fluent English proficiency.

Desirable:

  • Experience in 3D cell culture, tissue engineering, or organ-on-chip models.
  • Know-how of CRISPR/Cas9-based methods.
  • Background in spatial transcriptomics (MERFISH, scRNA-seq).
  • Proficiency in live-cell imaging techniques.

About Us
The Brewer Lab at SDU is internationally recognized for pioneering work in bioimaging and the development of advanced tissue models and spatial transcriptomics platforms. DaMBIC, hosting state-of-the-art microscopy facilities, further enhances research capabilities.

Dr. Barnkob from the CITCO team at OUH excels in cellular immunology, specializing in innovative T-cell engineering and immunotherapeutic approaches.

The deadline for applications: 6 June 2025.
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk

Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex

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