Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship

Project description

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the transfer of minimally processed faeces from a healthy donor to a patient to treat disease. Currently FMT is effectively being used as treatment for e.g., severe diarrhoea caused by Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Faeces donors are recruited among blood donors at the Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital (AUH). The Centre for Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (CEFTA) is the largest FMT center in Denmark.

Disruption of the gut microbiota has been linked to various diseases e.g., metabolic syndrome and common variable immunodeficiency. The Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) is a large national prospective cohort and biobank with more than 170,000 healthy blood donors included with extensive questionnaire, register data, genetic and biomarker information available. DBDS donors are healthy at inclusion, but a significant share develop disease over time. With the current study we plan to establish a faecal cohort and biobank in the DBDS, and intestinal microbiome data will be linked to the extensive DBDS database allowing future investigation into associated health and disease.

This PhD project is a collaboration between CEFTA, the DBDS, and the Department of Molecular Medicine (MOMA), AUH. The PhD student will be responsible for recruiting and including donors to the faecal cohort and biobank and establishing novel methods for identifying high-profile faeces donors. You will be involved in all aspects of the study, including project management, donor recruitment, sample organization and analysis, and presenting the study's findings through scientific articles and possibly at international conferences.

Key objectives of the project: 

• To establish a faeces biobank and create a platform for research in the intestinal microbiome and its effects on human health and disease. 
• To investigate microbiome composition and dynamics in a sub-group of faeces donors.
• To identify high-effect donor profiles in the biobank and evaluate FMT efficacy

The primary workplace will be at the Department of Clinical Immunology AUH. You will join a large research group and work closely with staff across collaborating departments. Our department provides a dynamic, challenging, and professional environment that combines research and clinical operations, offering opportunities to develop relevant skills.             

Qualifications

- Medical doctor with microbiology experience

- Prior laboratory experience.

- Previous research experience, including experience in preparing funding applications and project proposal writing.

- Proven expertise in planning, coordinating, and organizing larger projects.

- Capable of working independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

- Organized, proactive and adaptable, with a positive attitude and readiness to tackle new tasks and challenges.

 - Excellent communication skills in both Danish and English, both written and verbal.

 - A special research interest and competencies in topics such as population studies, microbiology, and immunology.

How to apply

Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 25 February 2025 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 April 2025.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.  

Further information

Please contact Clinical Professor and Chair, Chief Physician Christian Erikstrup, christian.erikstrup@skejby.rm.dk, for more information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.