Postdoctoral Researcher in Virology

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic research team as part of a recently funded public private partnership between Utrecht University & MSD Animal Health. This project is focused on developing broad-protective vaccines against Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), a major avian coronavirus that threatens global poultry production, causing respiratory disease, reduced growth, poor egg quality, and increased antibiotic use. IBV-related losses amount to hundreds of millions of euros annually, impacting both food security and animal welfare.

Your job

Current vaccines, which are based on live-attenuated and inactivated virus formulations, require constant updates due to the virus’s evolution and emerging serotypes. This project, a public-private partnership between Utrecht University and MSD Animal Health, aims to develop broad-protective that induce a long-lasting immunity and advanced surveillance tools to combat IBV infections in the field more effectively.To address the limitations of existing vaccines, we focus on:

• structure-based antigen design – identifying and engineering key viral antigens to elicit cross-protective immune responses;
• viral vector technology – optimising delivery platforms to enhance vaccine efficacy, local immunity, and durability;
• immune profiling – understanding the mechanisms behind protective immunity after vaccination or infection in chickens, crucial for designing next-generation vaccines;
• surveillance innovation – developing advanced diagnostic tools to monitor IBV evolution and antigenic drift, to improve outbreak control strategies.

By integrating virology, immunology, and cutting-edge vaccine technology, we aim to improve poultry health, reduce disease outbreaks and minimize reliance on antibiotics.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in developing next-generation IBV vaccines. Your key responsibilities include:

• leading experimental work on IBV vaccine development and immunity;
• designing novel antigens for broad-spectrum protection;
• exploring the optimal (viral) vector vaccine platforms for antigen delivery;
• developing advanced serology tools to track chicken immunity against IBV;
• collaborating with and co-supervising a PhD candidate;
• collaborating with our industry partner and fellow researchers;
• writing scientific articles and publishing your findings in scientific journals.

Your qualities

We are looking for a motivated researcher with:

• a PhD in molecular virology, immunology, or a related field;
• experience with techniques relevant to the role, which include molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning), protein expression & characterization (ELISA, flow cytometry), virological techniques (virus propagation, pseudovirus system, hemagglutination assay), structural virology (single-particle cryoEM) and vaccine development & immune profiling. Please elaborate on your experience in your motivation letter;
• a background in virology, particularly coronaviruses, is a plus;
• preference for working at the intersection of fundamental and applied research;
• excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively;
• a team player capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously;
• strong written and verbal communication skills.

Our offer

• A one-year contract with the possibility of extension up to three years following satisfactory performance;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under 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 employment conditions based on the collective labor agreement for Dutch Universities.