Postdoc: IgA Antibody Platform Development

This postdoctoral position will be a combination of PHARMIgA and Oncode Accelerator: Development, optimization, and scale-up of IgA antibody production platforms, and next-generation antibodies for Oncode Accelerator.

Most therapeutic antibodies currently used to treat disease are based on the IgG antibody. While highly effective in the bloodstream, IgG antibodies are often less effective at mucosal surfaces such as the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. These tissues are central to major unmet medical needs, including respiratory infections, inflammatory diseases, and several forms of cancer.

In contrast, IgA antibodies are naturally abundant at mucosal surfaces, where they play a key role in immune defense. IgA can efficiently neutralize pathogens and engage immune cells through mechanisms distinct from IgG. Despite their therapeutic potential, very few IgA‑based therapeutics have reached the clinic. Development remains technically challenging due to complex production processes, limited scalable manufacturing methods, and the lack of standardized models and infrastructure.

PHARMIgA was established to address these challenges by bringing together expertise, technologies, and facilities within a single collaborative network. Rather than focusing on one specific therapeutic candidate, the consortium aims to develop a comprehensive platform and toolbox that will accelerate the discovery, production, and translation of IgA‑based therapeutics.

The consortium combines expertise from Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht, in collaboration with Sanquin and PD‑Value, as well as partners across the Utrecht Science Park and industrial collaborators from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and nutrition sectors.

The current process to develop cancer therapies is expensive, time‑consuming and high‑risk. More importantly, newly developed therapies are often only effective in a small group of the intended patient population.

The medical, financial, and societal burden of the disease is growing, and so is the demand for effective, safe and personalized treatments. Preclinical development is a crucial step in advancing a new cancer therapy towards clinical application. However, too many of the innovations that make it through the preclinical development process fail in late‑stage clinical trials. Therefore, there is a clear need to increase the likelihood of success.

To truly make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, the preclinical development process needs to be revolutionized. Oncode Accelerator is taking on this challenge, driven by a profound commitment to improving patient outcomes. Our novel approach will allow for earlier predictions of cancer therapy effectiveness and safety, leading to a significantly faster process and better patient outcomes.

This postdoctoral position will be a combination of both programs: the development, optimization, and scale‑up of IgA antibody production platforms, as well as the work on next‑generation antibodies for Oncode Accelerator.

1. Discovery and characterization of IgA antibodies and their molecular properties
2. Production and manufacturing, focused on improving and scaling methods to generate different IgA formats
3. Safety and efficacy testing using advanced human‑relevant preclinical models
4. Delivery technologies, including pulmonary and intranasal administration and innovative mRNA‑based approaches enabling in vivo IgA expression

This Post‑Doc position is embedded within the second pillar and will support the development, optimization, and production of IgA antibody formats in close collaboration with the postdoctoral researcher leading this work.

For Oncode Accelerator, the Post‑Doc will work on a demonstrator project on a novel type of bispecific antibody to engage neutrophils to kill cancer cells.

This position will be embedded in the AntibodyTherapy group of prof. Jeanette Leusen, consisting of 3 assistant profs, 2 post‑docs, 10 research technicians, 7 PhD students and several master students. This group is part of the Center for Translational Immunology (CTI).

• PhD in antibody science, protein engineering, immunology, biotechnology, or a related field
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in academia and/or industry following completion of the PhD
• Strong background in immunology and antibody development, preferably including protein engineering and biologics development
• Hands‑on experience with recombinant antibody production and purification is highly desirable
• Experience with translational drug development or preclinical therapeutic development is considered an advantage
• Ability to work independently while thriving in multidisciplinary collaborative teams
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a creative and proactive mindset
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey scientific findings to audiences with diverse expertise
• Excellent written and spoken English.