PhD Position in Nutritional Immunology

Faculty: Faculty of Science Department: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline: 29 March 2026

Within the LipidBRIGHT doctoral network, you will pursue a PhD in Nutritional Immunology, bridging pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences. You will use in vitro human mucosal immune models to study barrier-immune interactions driving allergic asthma. Specifically, you will study the efficacy of n-3 LCPUFA in combination with vitamins A and D as adjunct therapy to corticosteroids, aiming to protect against type 2 airway inflammation and improve asthma control.

Your job

Low grade inflammation affects a growing population in western countries, leading to an increase in immune disorders such as autoimmunity and allergies, including asthma, which affects 10% of adults in industrialized countries. Type 2 asthma cannot be cured but it can be treated with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) as controller medication. Some asthmatics have reduced serum levels of n-3 LCPUFA, EPA and DHA, due to low intake or reduced FADS (fatty acid desaturase) enzyme activity. Furthermore, serum vitamin A and D levels are generally low in the western population, while these vitamins can promote tolerogenic immune modulation and/or barrier protection. This project aims to highlight the relevance of these nutrients in managing pulmonary inflammation and therapy guidance, using state-of-the-art human in vitro mucosal-immune cell models.

As a PhD candidate you will further develop bronchial epithelial barrier models and study their interaction with innate and adaptive immune cells, while assessing the anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects of n-3 LCPUFA plus vitamin A/D as adjunct treatment to corticosteroids. You will present your results at national and international conferences in the fields of Nutrition, Allergy, Pulmonary disease and Pharmacology, reflecting the broad scientific scope of the project. Working across these areas makes this position challenging and highly relevant, as you will actively bridge these scientific fields! It will also allow you to highlight the strength of combining pharmaceutical and nutritional approaches, an opportunity which is often overlooked.

Within the Division of Pharmacology our research group has long-standing experience in the field of Nutritional Immunology, with established expertise of using n-3 LCPUFA for allergy prevention in vitro and in pre-clinical models.

This project is part of the European doctoral network LipidBRIGHT , offering the opportunity to collaborate in a network of academic and non-academic partners that bridge clinical with basic research on lipids in chronic inflammatory disorders.

Your qualities

We are looking for a collaborative and driven new colleague who meets several or all ofthe following criteria:

• A Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, including education and training in the field of Immunology.
• Practical experience with immune assays, cell culture, FACS, qPCR and/or ELISA.
• Ability to organize work, achieve project goals independently, and work closely with colleagues to advance research as a team.
• Strong scientific writing skills with the ability to accurately analyse and interpret research data and apply scientific literature.
• Strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written.

This PhD position is part of an EU Doctoral Network, which encourages international mobility. Therefore, to be eligible, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment date (March 1st 2026).

Our offer

• a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment in the first 18 months;
• a gross monthly salary starting at € 3,059 in the first year and increasing annually up to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on and discover how you can become part of our community.

You will join a collegial and collaborative academic environment with state-of-the-art laboratories, core facilities, where research and teaching are conducted at the forefront of Translational Immunopharmacology and Experimental Pharmacology in the Division of Pharmacology . The division is part of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), the renowned research center of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Utrecht University.

Are you positive and open minded, well organized, accurate, hardworking and driven by curiosity? Our team of inspired and knowledgeable PhD candidates, technicians and staff will be happy to welcome you and support you throughout your PhD trajectory!

More information

For more information, please contact Linette Willemsen at l.e.m.willemsenuu.nl .

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitmentuu.nl .

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation highlighting your relevant experience and how it prepares you to contribute to this research project (please use your own authentic words and avoid use of AI);
• your Curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references;
• academic transcripts (certified records of your grades) for both your BSc and MSc.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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The application deadline is 30 March 2026.