Division of Immunology at Vetsuisse-Faculty
PhD Position in Immunology60 %
The Leibundgut-lab studies the interaction between the immune system and commensal fungi. As part of the microbiota, fungi colonize the skin, similarly to bacteria, but they remain much less well studied. IL-17 immunity is key for the maintenance of fungal and tissue homeostasis. At the same time, skin commensal fungi are associated with inflammatory and allergic disorders such as atopic and seborrheic dermatitis, and the question arises to what extent these diseases are driven by the antifungal response.
Your responsibilitiesYou will work on a project investigating the immune response against the skin commensal yeast Malassezia in the normal and diseased skin and identify fungal secreted products that activate and modulate the Tb7 and γδT17 antifungal response. The project relies on mouse models of skin fungal commensalism and of atopic dermatitis in combination with cell culture experiments. The project will involve immunological, microbiological, genetic, transcriptomic, and biochemical approaches.
Your profileOur team consists of 10 enthusiasts for fungal research including PhD students, postdocs, master students and a lab manager. We provide an enjoyable working environment characterized by team spirit and collaborations within the lab and with other labs in Switzerland and internationally. Our lab is located at the Irchel Campus of University of Zurich (Vetsuisse Faculty). We are also affiliated with the Institute of Experimental Immunology of University of Zurich and benefit from the inspiring and collaborative network of immunologists and microbiologists across Zurich.
PhD students in the LeibundGut-lab are member of the Microbiology and Immunology (MIM) PhD program of the Life Science Graduate School Zurich and they are registered at the Science Faculty of the University of Zurich.
We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment. Diversity and inclusion are important to us.
Place of workWinterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Start of employmentEmployment start date to be mutually agreed. Please submit your complete application (CV, letter of motivation, 2 letters of reference compiled in a single pdf) by 30.06.2023.