PhD Metabolic Footprint in Human Enterovirus Infections Along Gut-Brain Axis

Amsterdam UMC is offering a 4-year doctoral position within the EU-funded MERIT Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network, focusing on the metabolic footprint of human enterovirus infections along the gut-brain axis. The successful candidate will work within the OrganoVIR Labs to study early metabolic changes driving varied immune responses across different enterovirus species using patient-derived organoids. Responsibilities include conducting infection experiments, analyzing host responses in immunocompetent and immunodeficient organoids, and performing integrative omics and genome-scale metabolic modeling. The project features planned secondments at partner institutions in Germany and Austria, alongside specialized entrepreneurial and technical training.

• Study metabolic changes during infection with enteroviruses belonging to species B and C in gut and brain organoids
• Investigate differences in host immune responses between immunocompetent and immunodeficient patient gut organoids
• Perform integrative omics and genome-scale metabolic modeling for EV-B and EV-C infected organoid models
• Participate in planned secondments at Justus Liebig University Giessen and Medical University Innsbruck
• Engage in network-wide training programs, including pre-MBA entrepreneurial modules, conferences, and workshops