Jobs

Master Thesis Positions in Gene Delivery

Example of Uptake and intracellular trafficking of delivered cargo

For gene therapy, DNA can be delivered via viral and non-viral vectors. Non-viral vectors have the advantage of low immunogenicity and high loading capacity. In particular, protein-based transfection agents have the potential to specifically interact with the target cells. In the Gene Delivery team in the Drug Formulation and Delivery Group, we develop an innovative nucleoprotein complex to transfect mammalian cells. By using protein engineering and fluorescence microscopy we optimize and track the transfection efficiency of this protein-based DNA carrier. We have two open master thesis positions in this exciting field of research:

Projects

1) “Visualization of intracellular trafficking of delivered DNA”
To study the fate of delivered DNA inside the cell, innovative and sensitive visualization methods are required. We generate stable mammalian cell lines to track the transfected protein-DNA complexes inside the cell. The goal is to better understand and improve our transfection systems.

Contact:
Starting date: flexible

2) “Uptake improvement of a protein-based DNA carrier”
To improve the efficiency of transfection and target specific cell types, cellular uptake ligands are engineered. These ligands are often proteins that can bind to cell surface receptors and facilitate the uptake of the nucleoprotein complex into the cell. The proteins are produced, purified, and then tested on cells to evaluate their efficacy.

Contact:
Starting date: flexible

Your Profile

• You are a master student in Biology/Biochemistry/Pharmacy or similar
• Ideally, you have basic experience in molecular cloning, protein engineering and mammalian cell culture
• You are interested in fluorescence microscopy
• You are creative, reliable, and eager to learn new concepts, skills and tools

Interested? Send your application (CV, brief motivation letter, transcripts) to Christina or David until 15-Jul-2023.
 

Prof. Leroux’s laboratory is always looking for talented and highly motivated scientists (pharmacists, engineers, chemists, biochemists or molecular biologists) who seek training in the field of drug formulation and delivery.

If you wish to apply for a postdoctoral position, PhD or an internship please send the following documents (in a single pdf file) to this email address: 

Postdoc application:

  1. Brief cover letter
  2. CV with publication list
  3. Two letters of recommendations
  4. Research project proposal (maximum 3 pages, used to evaluate writing skills)
    - Pick up your own topic – The project should relate to drug delivery and contain the following sections:
    a) Introduction (0.5 page)
    b) Objective and rationale (0.5 page)
    c) Outline of research (1.5 page)
    d) References (0.5 page)

PhD application:

  1. Brief cover letter
  2. CV with publication list
  3. Letters of recommendations
  4. University transcripts

Internship:
For a minimum of 5 months, no financial support provided

  1. Brief cover letter
  2. CV with publication list
  3. University transcript

Incomplete applications will not be treated. And to avoid mishandling of your application, please do not write directly to Prof. Leroux.

Note: you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application. If your profile suits our laboratory we will get back to you in the next three months. All applications are kept in our files for one year. And due to the important number of requests we receive, only few candidates will be contacted for a follow-up.

Thank you for your interest in our laboratory!

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