Assistant or Associate Professor (UD/UHD) Liver Transplantation / Machine Perfusion Research

Opportunities at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) for Biomedical Researchers in Liver Transplantation and Machine Perfusion

Closing date: November 2

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) welcomes a talented biomedical researcher for a position of Assistant Professor (UD) or Associate Professor (UHD) within the section Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation and the Surgical Research Laboratory at the Department of Surgery. The appointed UD/UHD will perform basic and translational research ultimately aimed at improving outcome of liver transplantation, for example by using machine perfusion to test and improve donor organs.

The candidate is expected to develop an independent research line within the research group of Prof. De Meijer and Prof. Lisman (1 post-doc, 8 PhD students). The position further offers close collaboration with basic and translational scientists within the department of Surgery and the UMCG Comprehensive Transplantation Center. The work will comprise research and network-related activities for approximately 80%, and educational tasks for approximately 20% of the time.

Research activities

Transplantation is one of the three clinical spearheads at the UMCG. The UMCG is internationally recognized as a leading center in the development and application of machine perfusion for improving the outcome of solid organ transplantation. In the liver transplant program, machine perfusion is routinely used to:

• Assess the quality of high risk, ‘marginal’ donor organs
• Prolong preservation to allow daytime transplantation
• Test interventions to improve the quality of donor organs

The research group has developed a unique ex situ perfusion platform capable of maintaining viable human livers for up to one week, one of few worldwide, with the aim to repair and improve poor-quality livers. The group also has access to the TransplantLines biobank, providing human liver tissue and organoids for translational research. The UD/UHD will develop a research line aimed at improving existing machine perfusion strategies, while at the same time developing other research strategies directed at improving the quality of donor livers and/or outcome of liver transplantation.

Network related activities

The research team is part of the UMCG Comprehensive Transplant Center, which coordinates care, teaching and research on solid organ, tissue, and stem cell transplants. The UMCG performs all types of solid organ transplants, including combined thoracic-abdominal transplant procedures. In addition, the UMCG is a training center for organ perfusionists. The candidate will actively participate in the research network of the Transplant Center and leverage developments made in preservation and transplantation of organs other than the liver. In addition, the candidate will be expected to actively participate in and expand on international networks and societies of transplant professionals.

Education activities

The candidate will perform teaching activities within the bachelor, master and PhD programs of our medical faculty and will contribute to professional training of health care professionals on topics related to organ preservation and transplantation within the UMCG Comprehensive Transplant Center. Educational tasks may include development and teaching of courses and/or modules as well as BSc, MSc, and PhD student supervision.

Requirements

• We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with a PhD in biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, engineering or a related field.
• You have experience in (international) academic environments and research collaboration (since obtaining your PhD), preferably in interdisciplinary settings and/or various working environments.
• You have demonstrated research leadership as evidenced by successful acquisition of external research funding, supervision of PhD students, and leading a research group on a related topic.
• You have an (inter)nationally recognized track record in research related to organ transplantation, machine perfusion, hepatology or related fields as evidenced by: original research, reviews, and/or research opinion papers in peer-reviewed academic journals, other relevant research output (direct or indirect) demonstrating your contribution to the scientific field or the public domain.
• You have obtained a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).
• Language proficiency: Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

What do we offer

A full-time employment contract for a period of two years, followed by the prospect of a permanent position. The salary will be a minimum of € 4.818 gross per month (scale 11) or a maximum € 8.008 gross per month (scale 13). The exact salary will depend on applicant’s qualifications and relevant experience.

In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).