PhD student to explore the acute airway microbiome in childhood asthma

We are looking for a new colleague to help us unravel the role of the airway microbiome in early asthma episodes.

The neonatal airway microbiome is important for childhood health – including asthma, which is the most common chronic disease in childhood. In the large COPSAC2010 birth cohort, we’ve followed 700 children since their mothers’ pregnancies – they’re now in their early teens. They’ve come to our clinic every time they had acute asthmatic symptoms, and we’ve taken airway samples that are now undergoing microbiome sequencing. In contrast to medical textbooks, newer studies indicate that bacteria may be as important as viruses in this pivotal acute setting, but we don’t understand much about it yet.

As a PhD student at COPSAC, you will learn to perform complex data analysis to understand what factors govern the airway microbiome during acute asthma episodes. You will examine their interactions with viruses and the host immune system. The goal is to improve diagnostics, treatment and disease prediction in childhood asthma.

COPSAC is a translational research center consisting of 60 passionate people from many backgrounds working together to improve the health of children. You will have ample support, help and encouragement. It is characteristic for COPSAC that we work as one entity with a common goal. We appreciate team players, and in return, you will be part of a “family” of talented, helpful and great colleagues in a social and informal environment.

You will learn about pediatrics, cohort research, statistics, data crunching and visualization in R, bioinformatics, scientific writing, research communication, and much more. A research exchange at Harvard Medical School is planned as part of the PhD.

We are excited to find out who you are! We imagine the following describes you nicely:

• Either MD or MSc in a biological/biotech-related field
• Have a creative mind and a curious attitude towards life
• Interested in coding, analysis, finding patterns, solving puzzles or similar
• Can get stuff organized and done, can prioritize among complex tasks
• Can work independently but recognize when outside input is needed
• Wish for your research to have impact and improve child health

The data you will work with comes from the most deeply characterized kids in the world. You can read more about the cohorts and our research on COPSAC.com and find us on LinkedIn & X.

Don’t hesitate to contact Jonathan Thorsen – [email protected] or call +45 38 67 73 60 if you have any questions.

We’d like you to start in August or September, but this is flexible. The PhD is fully funded (3 years) under the Sapere Aude program from DFF: https://tinyurl.com/sajten. Salary according to collective agreement. You will be enrolled at the graduate school at Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Please apply regardless of your gender, nationality, age and background.

Send your application before 26 May 2024. We look forward to hearing from you!