Vacancy Postdoc 'Human immunology and vaccinology'

Job description

Are you ready to make a global impact in the fight against infectious diseases? The Parasitology Unit at Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc) is seeking a passionate and driven Postdoctoral Researcher to join one of Europe’s leading centers for vaccine discovery and clinical development.

The Parasitology Unit at Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc) is a European epicenter of infectious disease research, with a special emphasis on vaccine discovery and clinical development.
Infectious diseases tackled by our group include malaria, the most important parasitic disease, responsible for a huge burden of disease and significant mortality in malaria-endemic regions. We also focus on viral diseases with high fatality rates, such as Nipah, Ebola, and Marburg.

Our research encompasses knowledge gain on the development of immunity against pathogens and assessment of immunogenicity of interventions against infectious diseases. The technological platforms used include:

• High-dimensional single-cell phenotyping (including sequencing technologies).
• State-of-the-art humoral assays.
• Liquid biopsy techniques.
• Functional immunological assays.

The position involves both the conduct and conceptualization of research projects. As a postdoc you will contribute to the design and setup of clinical studies, both in Nijmegen and in disease-endemic regions. Development and deployment of immunological assays is an additional key responsibility.

As an academic institution, scientific publishing and reporting of results is as important as the training of junior staff (PhD, MSc, and bachelor students), both in Nijmegen and at partner institutions in endemic countries.

From the start, you will be integrated into ongoing clinical and fundamental research projects and mentored by the clinical research group leader, Prof. Benjamin Mordmüller. We actively support career development and encourage the initiation of novel projects within the context of the group's research profile, resulting in a distinct and impactful research portfolio.

Place of work

The Department of Medical Microbiology at Radboudumc has a staff of around 140. They cover research, clinical work, diagnostics and teaching. The parasitology group has about 40 members and ranks among the best in Europe. We are a group of basic and clinical researchers committed to team science and our special emphasis is on malaria and vaccine discovery and development. Currently, work is organized around four main topics: cellular parasitology, entomology, clinical research and epidemiology. The team has been in the lead for several major developments: e.g. whole sporozoite vaccination, passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies, transmission-blocking vaccines.

Malaria research is one of Radboudumc's most prominent research foci and we receive full institutional support. The group houses the only high-security insectary that complies with the production of infected mosquitoes for controlled human malaria infection in Europe and has performed pivotal clinical and molecular studies to understand anti-malarial immunity.

The successful candidate will join an enthusiastic team that is embedded in an international network including research centers in endemic countries in Africa and Asia. Our team consists of researchers, lab scientists and entomologists and we have active projects with immunology groups at Leiden university medical center, the Friedrich-Löffler-Institute in Greifswald, University of Leipzig, Copenhagen university, the Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifque in Cotonou, Benin, the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Gabon, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research in Coimbatore, India, and at the Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Mali.

You will have full access to our scientific network and a unique and extensive biobank of immunological samples from trials in Europe and Africa. The main language among the international research team is English. Our team will soon move into a newly refurbished research building with a state-of-the art laboratory. The successful candidate will spend a significant part of the work time in the laboratory.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health. 

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands and is located at the banks of the river Waal. There is a lively cultural scene and the surroundings allow for many exceptional outdoor and indoor activities from bird watching to wine and beer production.

Profile

Immunology is at the core of development of new vaccines and the understanding of naturally acquired immunity. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated postdoc with an immunology background who will work on a research agenda focused on vaccine-induced immunity.

The successful candidate should have:

• A PhD with an immunological profile.
• Experience with research in (malaria)-endemic settings (not mandatory).
• Interest in infectious diseases and vaccinology.
• Interest in research with human participants.
• Track-record of publishing high-quality research.
• Experience with working in an international team.
• Good communication skills.
• Committment to teamwork.
• Dutch and French language skills (not mandatory).

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.598 and € 5.669 (scale 10) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

 

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 26 August 2025. We will then contact you shortly. The job interviews takes place on 1 September 2025. We would appreciate it if you would take this into account.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Markus Gmeiner, International Study Coordinator. Use the Apply button to submit your application.