The glycocalyx, a carbohydrate-rich coat of cell surfaces, plays crucial roles in the dynamic cell-cell interactions that underly mammalian immune responses. Immune cell migration and the establishment of macrophage populations in the lymph node rely on the glycocalyces of the specialized endothelial cells that form the high endothelial venules and the lymphatic sinuses. This PhD project aims to elucidate how specific protein-bound carbohydrates, namely the core-1-derived O-glycans, shape the lymphatic endothelial cell glycocalyx and its recognition by myeloid immune cells.
Job descriptionThe successful candidate will:
- Learn to work with mice and isolate lymph nodes for microscopy and primary cell culture
- Characterize the glycocalyx of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) isolated from mouse lymph nodes using mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analyses (in collaboration with partners at ETH and in the USA)
- Investigate the underlying mechanisms for the altered composition of the LEC glycocalyx upon loss of core-1-derived O-glycans using FACS and Western blot as well as ELISA of culture supernatants
- Investigate cell-cell interactions of LEC with immune cells in lymph node tissues using immunofluorescence and advanced microscopic techniques
- Study LEC- immune cell interactions in vitro
- Present her/his project plans and research results to diverse audiences in both oral and written formats
- Contribute to the teaching and lab activities within the Pharmaceutical Immunology group of Prof. C. Halin at ETH Zurich
Profile - We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student who is an independent thinker, eager to learn, and ready to take responsibility for her/his experiments and scientific development
- Applicants should hold a Master's degree in Biology, Biomedicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related Life Science discipline
- The ideal candidate is curiosity-driven, creative, open-minded and capable of working independently
- Fluency in English and strong communication skills are essential
- Candidates should also be willing to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, both at ETH and internationally
- The start date is at the beginning of 2026 (with room for negotiation)
We offer - A stimulating, supportive, and international research environment within the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at ETH Zurich
- Access to state-of-the art facilities and technologies
- Collaborations with multidisciplinary teams at ETH Zurich, Harvard Medical School and Yale University
- The opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge research project at the intersection of vascular cell biology, glycobiology, and immunology
- A competitive salary and employment conditions in accordance with ETH Zurich regulations
- The workplace will be at ETH Zurich, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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