PhD at department Physiology

Working at Amsterdam UMC

PhD at department Physiology

We seek a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher in a field related to biomedical sciences, with preference for experience in physiology, movement sciences or cardiovascular sciences.

The project

We have a vacancy for a PhD student to work in the Department of Physiology at Amsterdam UMC. We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate for a project that will study novel treatment strategies for nemaline myopathy NEM6, a muscle disease.

The group of Josine de Winter studies how sarcomeric gene variants impact contractility and energetics in congenital myopathies. One of the myopathies of interest is the Dutch nemaline myopathy NEM6. In addition to muscle weakness and fatigue, a hallmark feature of NEM6 is muscle stiffness and slowness, i.e. a hypercontractile phenotype. So far, no specific treatment is available. Our previous work shows that the muscle stiffness and slowness is sarcomere-based.

This project aims to study the promising strategy of slow- and fast-twitch myosin inhibition to counteract the hypercontractility in NEM6 and preserve energetics, i.e. reduce fatigue. To study this, we will evaluate the ability of myosin inhibitors on improving running performance, mitochondrial function, and muscle contractility.

About your role

As a PhD student you will work in an internationally-orientated research environment, where your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• Set-up, plan and conduct experimental studies, often in collaboration with other researchers within or outside the Department of Physiology;
• Train MSc and BSc students who work with you on your project;
• Write and publish scientific manuscripts and other reports on study results;
• Present and disseminate research results at (international) conferences.

This work will result in a PhD thesis based in international, peer-reviewed publications. Training in research and transferable skills are part of the PhD trajectory.

About you

We seek a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with:

• A master’s degree in a field related to biomedical sciences, with preference for experience in physiology, movement sciences or cardiovascular sciences;
• Experience with muscle histology, mitochondrial assays, contractility assays is a plus;
• Affinity for physiology, histology and biochemistry;
• A flexible and pro-active attitude with team spirit, but a strong ability to work independently;
• A ‘can-do’ mentality, with patience, precision and perseverance;
• Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

Our offer

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for the duration of the project (4 years).
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.017 to € 3.824 gross per month based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for full-time and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

About your workplace

The Department of Physiology at Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc) performs research in the areas of physiology, structure and function of the heart, skeletal muscle and blood vessels.

Our research groups use state-of-the-art physiological and imaging setups, animal models, stem cell-derived (3D) models, and human tissues to study structure/function relationships in different organs, focused on the pathophysiology and molecular basis of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

The department is embedded in the Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS) research institute of Amsterdam UMC and in the Amsterdam Heart Center (division 3). As a PhD student, you will therefore be part of the largest cardiovascular community in the Netherlands, including >1000 researchers and clinicians.

Working at Amsterdam UMC means working in an inspiring and professional environment in which developing one’s talents and skills is encouraged while developing solutions for health care challenges. We offer you ample opportunity for starting your career, additional training and a place to grow!

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Amsterdam UMC has an open culture. This means that we hope that everyone feels welcome in our organization and that we strive to offer equal opportunities to everyone. We therefore cordially invite all interested parties to respond to this vacancy.

Let’s meet!

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

The ultimate start date is May 1st, 2025.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Josine de Winter via jm.dewinter@amsterdamumc.nl or Coen Ottenheijm via c.ottenheijm@amsterdamumc.nl.