candidate NEOREPAIR

PhD Candidate for the NEOREPAIR Project

We have an exciting opening for a PhD candidate on the NEOREPAIR (Vici) project. We offer a temporary full-time position initially for one year, with an extension to four years upon successful assessment. The overarching goal of the NEOREPAIR project is to study the repair mechanisms of the injured developing brain and to optimize stem cell therapy for recovering from neonatal brain injury.

Project Goals and Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will focus on mapping the complex neurogenic niches of the developing brain in health and disease using cutting-edge techniques. Key aims include:

• Deciphering molecular and cellular processes underlying the repair of lesioned brain areas.
• Performing ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro studies.
• Utilizing a range of techniques, including omics, imaging, and advanced in vitro co-culture systems.

New insights from your project could unveil optimization strategies for stem cell-based therapies. Furthermore, you will write scientific articles and present your work nationally and internationally.

About the Research Environment

You will be employed at the Department DDOD in the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, which is a part of UMCU. Our department hosts a dynamic, diverse, and international research team of post-docs, PhD students, (bio)technicians, and students. We work collaboratively to improve outcomes following perinatal brain injury using advanced translational models.

Asphyxia, a severe lack of oxygen around birth, is a major clinical problem leading to brain injury in neonates with severe long-term consequences. Our mission at DDOD is to develop new therapies to combat brain injury in newborns. One of our main therapeutic strategies is stem cell therapy to regenerate the injured newborn brain. While intranasal stem cell treatment has emerged as a promising intervention to reduce brain injury in neonates, the underlying repair mechanisms in the developing brain are still largely understudied. Deciphering these processes is the key aim of the NEOREPAIR project, which will lead to better understanding and potential optimization of stem cell-based repair strategies in the future.
Dr. Jane Doe, Lead Researcher

We collaborate closely with the clinical Department of Neonatology and are part of the Center for Translational Neuroscience, providing access to high-end research facilities and techniques. Our research is also connected to Regenerative Medicine Utrecht.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated team player who meets the following criteria:

• A Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Regenerative Medicine, or an equivalent field.
• A strong interest in brain development, neurogenesis, and regenerative therapies.
• Experience or affinity with in vitro culture systems and (behavioral) animal research (Art. 9 license or equivalent is highly valued).
• Highly organized and independent in planning and executing experiments.
• Strong teamwork skills and excellent communication abilities.
• Proactive, responsible, and flexible.
• Fluency in English, both oral and written.

Additional advantages include experience with:

- Omics datasets and bioinformatics analyses and/or programming (e.g., R).

- In vivo or in vitro models, microsurgery, intracranial injections, and/or molecular techniques.

Application Process

Are you interested in joining the NEOREPAIR project? Please respond to this vacancy with:

1. A motivation letter (max. 1000 words).
2. A curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages).
3. A transcript of records (BSc and MSc).
4. Contact details for at least 2 references.

Employment Benefits

• A salary between €3017 - €3824 gross per month, based on full-time employment (36 hours).
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%.
• Pension insurance with ABP, with approximately 70% of the monthly contribution covered.
• 100% public transport reimbursement or €0.18 per km reimbursement for other modes of travel (up to a max. of 40 km one way by car).
• Opportunities for personal and professional development.
• The option to select additional employment benefits in exchange for gross salary, such as purchasing a bicycle and memberships.