Postdoctoral researcher on mechanisms of childhood asthma

Within a ZON-MW funded VICI project, we investigate the mechanisms of childhood-onset asthma using single-cell RNA sequencing and innovative cell culture techniques, with the goal of discovering novel leads to stop asthma from developing in young children.

Job description

You will perform your investigations using pediatric cells and tissues collected through our research bronchoscopy program in children. You will describe asthma at single-cell resolution by characterizing airway wall biopsies of children with single-nuclear cell sequencing. You will work closely with our postdoc bioinformatics to interpret these findings. Based on the results, you will study the role of asthma genes in airway epithelial cell culture models and test novel leads for intervention. You will also perform isolation of nuclei from airway wall biopsies of children and contribute to the training and supervision of PhD students in our department.

Working environment

You will work in a multidisciplinary research team within the Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), a world-renowned lung research institute. While the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology will be your host institute, you will work at the Laboratory for Experimental Pulmonology and Inflammation Research (Medical Biology and Pathology, UMCG).

You will be part of an energetic and enthusiastic team of more than 20 researchers from diverse backgrounds. The group has an extensive network, both nationally and internationally. This project aligns closely with the large national initiative OMBION-CPBT, focused on developing new approach methodologies (NAMs) based on patient cell culture models.

What do we need

• The candidate is expected to have an almost completed PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Experience with generating single-cell datasets in a translational setting and/or cell cultures.
• Strong motivation for scientific research in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
• Excellent English presentation and writing skills.
• Ability to perform isolation of nuclei from airway wall biopsies of children.
• Ability to contribute to the training and supervision of PhD students in our department.
• Be a team player and excellent communicator, with the energy to pioneer and pursue novel findings.
• A track record in respiratory research is preferred.

What do we offer

This is a full-time vacancy (32-36 hours per week, 1.0 FTE), starting in September 2026. The position is for two years.

UMCG offers an attractive working environment among inspired and committed scientists and a good package of primary and secondary employment conditions, such as study arrangements. We offer a unique, multidisciplinary working environment with a wide range of possibilities for personal development and building expertise across diverse research areas.

UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. If necessary, UMCG provides vaccination. For certain professions, a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) may be requested upon employment.