Key Skills

Job Description

Job Description This vacancy is for a PhD position on a project funded by the national institute of health (NIH) focused on the molecular detection of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). The project is a collaboration with MBL experts from Mayo Clinic Rochester (Dr. Susan Slager) and Stanford University (Dr. Tait Shanafelt). MBL is a precursor state to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) affecting up to 5-10% of adults over age 40. MBL is currently identified through flow cytometry. The reliance on viable blood cells limits our ability to perform MBL screening in large existing cohorts. Identifying a molecular approach for MBL screening would allow to study the health implications of this pervasive condition at scale. At Erasmus MC, we will compare two molecular approaches for the detection of MBL (immunogenetics and proteomics) to the gold standard, flow cytometry. The PhD student will be primarily responsible for sequencing of the B-cell receptor repertoire of ~3000 participants in the Mayo Clinic Biobank, as well as for the data analysis of the immunogenetics and proteomics datasets. The PhD student will have the opportunity to contribute to our successful research line focused on the early development of lymphoid malignancies. In this PhD project, “Molecular detection of MBL and enhanced risk stratification through immunogenetic and proteomic profiling", you will: Apply advanced statistical methods to identify and validate molecular markers for monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis; Compare molecular methods for MBL detection to the gold standard, flow cytometry; Integrate your findings with single-cell sequencing data, as well as genetic risk factors for lymphoid malignancies; Collaborate closely with the other PhD students in our research group and our international partners in the US; Disseminate your results through scientific publications and international conferences.

Core Responsibilities

Sequence the B-cell receptor repertoire of approximately 3,000 Mayo Clinic Biobank participants and analyze immunogenetics and proteomics datasets. Identify and validate molecular markers for MBL, compare molecular detection methods with flow cytometry, integrate findings with single-cell sequencing and genetic risk data, and share results through publications and conferences.

Requirements

The posting does not specify formal education, experience, or other eligibility requirements. The role involves advanced statistical analysis, immunogenetics and proteomics data analysis, B-cell receptor sequencing, and collaboration with research partners.