Gums & Joints

RAPID ITN

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Inflammatory Disease

The most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases of humans are complex disorders of multifactorial aetiology influenced by genes, the environment and their interactions. Periodontitis (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two such chronic inflammatory diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Our vision is that enhanced biological understanding in this area will inform the future development of new approaches to disease prevention, early diagnosis and novel therapies. RAPID aims to provide a significant contribution to this by establishing a first class, dynamic training programme for early career researchers who will be able to advance both fields by working across sectors and disciplines. RAPID’s objectives include attracting the best European early career researchers into this area by providing carefully designed and integrated research projects and structured training delivered by the highest-quality European scientists.

The aim of the Training Programme is to increase the knowledge base and experience of trainees in the different research areas and to develop their transferable skills for future careers in industry or academia, whilst advancing the field through new discovery. Inter-sector aspects include uniting clinical and basic scientists working in universities with a large company and SMEs through research designed within 7 complementary Work Packages. Training objectives will be delivered through a suite of Core Skills Areas (Research Project, Advanced Training Courses, Project Meetings, International Workshop, Career Development Plan, Generic and Transferable Research Skills).

The RAPID Partners are:
The University of Birmingham, UK, Prof. Thomas Dietrich, 1 ESR + 1ER: Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic periodontitis and RA
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, Dr. Karin Lundberg, 1ESR + 1ER: Cellular and molecular immunology of RA, related to peridontitis
Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Poland, Prof. Jan Potempa, 1 ESR + 1 ER: Host and bacterial proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in homeostasis and diseases and as targets for therapeutic intervention.
Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DE Dr. Jacqueline Detert, 1 ESR + 1 ER: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Inflammatory Disease
Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung, DE, Prof Heiner Boeing, 1 ESR: Nutritional epidemiology: Role of microflora and dental status for risk of chronic diseases
Aston University, Birmingham, UK, Prof. Helen Griffiths,
Agencia Estatal Consejo de Investigaciones Científica, Spain, 1 ESR + 1ER: structure-function relationship and the detailed working mechanism of biomedically and biotechnologically relevant proteolytic enzymes University of Glasgow, UK, Dr. Shauna Culshaw, 1 ESR: Immune regulation in periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis
Anaxomics Biotech, Spain, 1 ESR: Systems Biology, Network Medicine and Biocomputing Technologies Imagen-Biotech Ltd, UK & University of Birmingham, UK, Drs Gareth Griffiths & Paul Cooper, 1 ESR: High Content Analysis of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) production and antigenicity in periodontitis (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Ernst-Moritz Arndt, University of Greifswald, DE, Prof Thomas Kocher, : Using data from the longitudinal population-based Study of Health in Pomerania, we evaluate the association between the clinical periodontal status and rheumatoid arthritis, which was assessed using a medical questionnaire or by determination of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.
Unilever R&D, Vlaardingen, NLase in periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis
Oxford University, UK, Prof Patrick Venables, 1 ESR: investigating the hypothesis that p gingivalis induces autoimmunity in to citrullinated proteins and provides the etiological link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis
University of Bergen, Norway, Prof Piotr Mydel, 1ER: Immunology, biochemistry and animal models of peridontitis and RA

Benefits
Candidates are paid according to MarieCurie standards, providing a generous employment contract along with further support for research, training and career development. Fellowships for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) are fundable for up to three-year periods and up to one year for Experienced Researchers (ERs). Please refer to the MarieCurie Web page for eligibility and remuneration details.

Requirements
Outstanding ESR and ER candidates must fulfil the MaireCurie eligibility criteria:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/eligibility_en.html
For citizens from non-EU countries specific immigration formalities and rules are in place.
Equal consideration will be given to female and male applicants.

Required Language
Fluency in oral and written English is required.

How to apply
Candidates should apply to individual ads placed by the Partner institutions or send their CV directly to the principal investigator. Alternatively contact Karen Atkins at k.l.atkins@bham.ac.uk with a copy of your University degree and a list of courses taken, along with a cover letter outlining your specific qualifications, including contact information for at least two references. Please indicate your preferred post and willingness to be considered for other posts in the consortium. Applications will be passed on to Partners.