PhD Studentship in Virus Susceptibility: The Institute of Medical Virology at the University of Zurich invites applications for a fully-funded PhD position in the Laboratory of Interferon Research, led by Prof. Dr. Benjamin G. Hale. This position focuses on the role of interferon autoantibodies in virus susceptibility, contributing to a groundbreaking project that intersects molecular biology, immunology, and virology.
PhD Studentship in Interferon Autoantibodies and Virus Susceptibility
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Designation | PhD Student |
| Research Area | Molecular Virology, Immunology, Interferon Biology |
| Location | Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
| Salary | CHF 50,000 – CHF 55,000 annually (Swiss National Science Foundation rate) |
| Duration | 4–5 years |
| Start Date | Negotiable between late 2025 / early 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1st May 2025 |
| How to Apply | Through Life Science Zurich Graduate School (Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program) |
Designation
PhD Studentship in the Laboratory of Interferon Research
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Benjamin G. Hale
Research Area
- Human interferon system deficiencies due to autoantibodies
- Susceptibility to viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza
- Molecular biology, immunology, and therapeutic strategies
Location
Institute of Medical Virology
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
www.virology.uzh.ch
Eligibility / Qualification
- Recently awarded or near-completion Master’s degree in Life Sciences (e.g., Molecular Biology, Virology, Immunology, Biomedicine)
- Prior laboratory research experience in relevant areas
- Strong motivation for interdisciplinary molecular research
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Job Description
- Contribute to a high-impact research project on interferon autoantibodies and viral susceptibility
- Explore the development, immunological effects, and therapeutic targeting of interferon-targeting autoantibodies
- Benefit from:
- A fully-funded PhD position
- Enrollment in the Life Science Zurich Graduate School
- Training in a state-of-the-art research environment, including Biosafety Level 3 labs
- Opportunities to present work at international conferences
- Strong supervision and career development support
Recent relevant publications from the lab:
- Busnadiego et al., PLoS Biol, 2022: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001709
- Hale, Eur J Immunol, 2023: doi.org/10.1002/eji.202250164
- Fernbach et al., J Exp Med, 2024: doi.org/10.1084/jem.20240365
- More publications: https://tinyurl.com/BGHale
How to Apply
Apply through the Life Science Zurich Graduate School:
🔗 https://www.lifescience-graduateschool.uzh.ch/en.html
- Choose Microbiology and Immunology (MIM) as the primary PhD program
- Clearly express your interest in Prof. Hale’s lab and the specific research topic in your application
Last Date to Apply
📅 1st May 2025
Let me know if you’d like a version for a specific platform (e.g., LinkedIn, university board, or email format).
