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Lilly Verhagen
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PhD Candidate in Paediatric Mucosal Immunology Radboud University Medical Center in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Biology
Funding
Funded research programme; full PhD position with salary indication of €3217—€4077 per month.
Deadline
Dec 9, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Radboud University Medical Center
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Keywords
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About this position
The project focuses on mucosal immune protection against respiratory infections in children, addressing why some children are more susceptible to recurrent or severe infections. Based in the Paediatric Respiratory Infection & Immunity Group at Radboudumc, the PhD candidate will investigate immune responses at the airway mucosal surface rather than relying only on blood-based measures.
You will study how mucosal antibodies protect against respiratory pathogens and how local immune cells, including innate lymphoid cells, contribute to the generation and maintenance of these antibodies. The project examines differences in mucosal antibody responses between children and how these differences relate to susceptibility to respiratory tract infections.
Research activities include characterising mucosal antibody responses in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections and healthy controls, analysing the diversity and polyreactivity of mucosal IgA and IgG, studying associations between mucosal immune characteristics and clinical susceptibility, and exploring the cellular and tissue environments that support antibody production. The project also integrates immunological, clinical and, where relevant, multi-omics data.
The work is embedded in a collaborative environment with access to well-characterised paediatric cohorts and biological samples, as well as advanced immunological infrastructure. The experimental work is carried out in the Laboratory of Medical Immunology, and the research group combines clinicians, immunologists, microbiologists and other researchers across disciplines and locations. The setting includes collaborations in the Netherlands, South Africa and the Dutch Caribbean, with opportunities for international interaction, conference presentation and scientific publication.
The project is led by Dr Lilly Verhagen and co-led by Prof Marien de Jonge, within a research team focused on improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory infections in children worldwide.
Funding details
Funded research programme; full PhD position with salary indication of €3217—€4077 per month.
What's required
Applicants should have a Master's degree in biomedical sciences, immunology, molecular biology, medical biology or a related discipline. The role requires a strong interest in immunology, particularly mucosal or respiratory immunity; experience with laboratory-based research; an analytical mindset for working with complex biological datasets; good written and spoken English; a collaborative attitude; scientific curiosity; and motivation to pursue a PhD. Experience with immunological assays, flow cytometry, cell culture, molecular techniques, bioinformatics or statistical analysis is an advantage, but not all are required.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer application link. Submit your application before the deadline and use the vacancy page for the application process. Further information can be requested from Lilly Verhagen.
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Professors
Professor at Radboud University Medical Center
Netherlands
Research Interests
Immunology
Microbiology
Immune Response
Mucosal Immunology
Inflammatory Biology
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.