PhD Position – Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children: From Understanding Pathogenesis to Precise Diagnosis and Treatment — Universität Zürich

Full description

Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Children's Hospital Zurich Start of employment February 2027 or upon agreement; temporary position for 3 years

About the group

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Zurich (PIDRZ) group at the University Children's Hospital is a small but growing international research group in one of Europe's leading centers for pediatric medicine. Our group is interested in understanding the epidemiology, microbiology, and immunology of pediatric infectious diseases, like Lyme disease (LD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), as well as developing novel diagnostic tools for clinical care. Our group has strong links with clinics and is actively involved in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Our work contributes towards the global goal of preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and developing novel treatments and diagnostic tools for infectious diseases.

Background

Lyme disease (LD) is caused by several genospecies of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and is increasing worldwide. The clinical presentation of LD in children varies, but mainly includes skin manifestations, Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), and Lyme arthritis. LNB accounts for 3–15% of LD cases and is the second most common presentation of LD in children. Overall, identifying LNB in children can be very challenging, which often results in delayed or missed diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotic treatment is essential to prevent progression to the late stages of LNB, which can result in serious, persistent sequelae.

Current stage of own research

To investigate the pathogenesis of LNB in children, we initiated the prospective BRILLIANT study (Borrelia B-cell diagnostics) of LD in children aged 0–17 years. Since 1 April 2024, we have enrolled 169 children presenting with a differential diagnosis of LD (cases), as well as 32 previously healthy patients (controls). In close collaboration with the Institute of Medical Microbiology (IMM UZH), we have established several advanced laboratory protocols for Bb detection, including Bb microscopy, Bb culture out of clinical samples, and a multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for Bb DNA detection in clinical samples and cultures.

Project aims and hypotheses

This project aims to improve the diagnosis of LNB in children by identifying new microbiological and immunological markers of Bb infection. Current diagnostic procedures fail to detect a significant proportion of LNB cases. We hypothesize that additional laboratory tests can confirm Bb infection in patients who are otherwise misdiagnosed. Our objectives are threefold, spanning clinical, microbiological, and immunological research:

1. Clinical: Define clinical features of LNB and evaluate the current diagnostic approach
2. Diagnostic: Identify further microbiological and immunological approaches for LNB diagnosis
3. Exploratory: Explore Bb genotypes and virulence factors in relation to disease phenotype

Your responsibilities

Your main task will be to manage the prospective clinical study of LD in children (BRILLIANT study) in order to draw conclusions on patho-mechanisms of LD and identify new microbiological and immunological markers of Bb infection.

• Management of the BRILLIANT study: overseeing patient recruitment, scheduling follow-ups, sample processing and storage, extracting data from hospital records, managing study database (REDCap)
• Establishment of Bb cultures from clinical isolates: Further protocol optimization by improving qPCR screening procedure and culture conditions. Evaluation of usefulness of culture and qPCR for clinical diagnosis
• Phenotype the immune response in LD and LNB: Analyze preliminary data, design experiments to further investigate relevant immune cell subsets using flow cytometry, bead-based cytokine/chemokine assay or scRNA-seq approaches
• Identify genotypes of Bb clinical isolates: Perform WGS on new Bb clinical isolates and identify genotypes and virulence factors associated with LD and LNB clinical subgroups

Furthermore, your duties as part of the employment will include:

• Writing scientific manuscripts (in English)
• Presentation of results at internal meetings and training events
• Participation in national and international conferences (including presenting your work)
• If applicable, supervising Master's students in Biomedicine and Pharmacy

Your profil

• Master's degree (MSc) in medicine, biology, immunology, or a related field
• Strong interest in clinical research, experience in clinical research is a plus
• Research interest in immunology, microbiology and/or infectious diseases
• Good understanding of statistics, experience with R is a plus
• High motivation, ability to work independenty, good written and oral communication skills
• Good knowledge of German and English

What we offer

Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers.

What we offer

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
• Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH

More Learning and Development

• Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
• Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

Food

• Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
• Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

Healthcare

• Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
• Free seasonal flu vaccinations
• Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

Discounts

• Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
• Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
• Special conditions on hotel reservations

Conditions of Employment

• Policies of the UZH
• Most UZH staff are employed according to public law

International Services

• Support for people from outside Switzerland

Campuses

• Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
• Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

Working at UZH The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More

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