PHD Position for @ Employer

Erasmus MC - PhD position for the IMBRAIN project To investigate the interaction between the brain and the immune system, in pre-clinical and clinical populations - Closing date 21-07-2026 - 3513 - 36 hours - Research university - Research & Education - Closing date 21-07-2026 - 3513 Job description We are looking for a highly motivated and passionate PhD candidate to work on our new project - IMBRAIN - that will investigate neurodevelopmental deficits in inborn errors of immunity. This is a dynamic and collaborative project that combines patient work with pre-clinical experiments. An increasing number of studies have shown that the brain and the immune system interact in many ways. This interaction suggests that diseases typically considered to involve primarily one of these systems could also affect the other. In IMBRAIN, we will integrate immunology, neuroscience and psychology to untangle the contributions of these systems in disease states. Specifically, we will investigate the presence of neurodevelopmental deficits in inborn errors of immunity. In IMBRAIN, we will use a specific disease, called APDS, as our model. This builds up on previous work from us and others suggesting an overlap between APDS and neurodevelopmental conditions. However, the common mechanisms behind this overlap are still lacking. To investigate these mechanisms, we will employ an innovative approach by combining apparently unrelated areas and methods into one single study: in the lab, we will use mouse models and perform molecular and behavioral experiments; in the clinic, we will perform interviews and patient testing. IMBRAIN integrates not just different areas of knowledge but also different institutes. To complement their work at Erasmus MC, the candidate will have the opportunity to use top of the art techniques and facilities at the UMC and the NIN, benefiting from the extensive network of experts that make this project highly collaborat...