PhD Scholarships in Host Response in Opportunistic Infections, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria (2018)

Scientists and physicians of the Innsbruck campus, working in the related fields of Infection, Immunity,Transplantation and/or Biogerontology, have decided to join forces and have created a structured and multidisciplinary research and training programme of excellence (DK).

Their intention is to cooperatively and synergistically investigate genetic and environmental parameters, which destroy the immune homeostasis during host-pathogen interaction, thus leading to opportunistic infections, seldom developing in healthy, but quite often in immuno-compromised subjects. Six of the 7 members of the consortium work at Innsbruck Medical University (IMU), one is heading the Institute of Biomedical Aging Research (IBA), now part of University of Innsbruck / Leopold Franzens University (LFU). It is envisaged to strengthen the cooperation between both local universities in the coming periods.

Four members of the consortium are medical doctors - one works at bedside and 3 mainly preclinically - three are natural scientists. All 7 contribute to various aspects of host-pathogen interaction, comprising inherited and acquired immunity. On the infection side fungal, bacteriological or virological models are in use.

Available Topics of PhD thesis (HOROS associate projects)

- Biological Therapies and the Risk of Opportunistic Infections: From in vitro to vivo

- Epigenetic regulation of innate immune function (macrophages) in Salmonella infection in vitro and in vivo

- Comparative analysis of metabolic host response patterns and the effects of iron supplementation (oral versus intravenous) on infections with intra- versus extracellular bacteria

- Comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of new oral and intravenous iron preparations in anemia of chronic disease (ACD)/with and without combined true iron deficiency

For further informations about the topics: http://horos.at/content/home/application/

Why Horos?

- Individual supervision and monitoring (students have their individual thesis steering committee)

- A highly structured HOROS-specific educational programme

- Funded research exchange with international laboratories

- Retreats and social activities

- Guaranteed salary as suggested by the Austrian Science Fund for the proposed 3-years, health insurance and social benefits

- State-of-the art facilities and resources

Desired skills and experience

The entry requirement is a full study completing degree (Master, Magister, Diploma, MD) in medical science, natural sciences or related disciplines. Students have to show academic excellence, scientific potential, flexibility, motivation, suitability for the research project and the willingness to stay 3-6 months abroad.

Further details:
http://academicpositions.eu