DNA-Origami Nanosystems to modulate Adaptive Immunity (DONAI) : We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate to join the DONAI project’s working team, focused on developing functional DNA-based nanostructures (Origamis) containing highly controlled biomolecular surfaces. Model immunogenic molecules will be used for delivery to antigen-presenting cells (APCs), key modulators of immunity. The project involves synthesizing and characterizing the origamis, stability studies in biological fluids, and intracellular traffic in multiple 2D and 3D immune culture models. Ultimately, we seek to stablish key parameters (size, shape, spatial antigen distribution) affecting the activation of antigen-specific responses in primary cell cultures ex vivo from donors with known viral infections (flu, CMV, SARS-CoV-2, etc.).

 The PhD researcher should be interested in nanotechnology and immunology as the project will involve state-of-the-art techniques for synthesizing and characterizing the DNA nanostructures and studying antigen processing, presentation, and immune response characterization. 

Requirements: bachelor’s and master’s degree in nanotechnology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, or related. 

Elegibility: proven work with nanomaterials, DNA (PCR, primers and oligonucleotide design, agarose gels), proteomics (SDS-PAGE, western blot) and cell culture. Synthesis, functionalization, and characterization of NP as well as studies of NP–cell interactions and immune responses will be positively valued. 

Conditions: 3-year contract including an international research stay at a collaborator’s lab. 

Application: Candidates should send a motivation letter, CV, and contact information of two referees to Beatriz and André (beatriz.pelaz@usc.es, andre.perez@usc.es) by July 30th. After CV evaluation, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. 

https://www.usc.es/ciqus/es/empleo/position-dna-origami-nanosystems