PhD student Systems Medicine of Inherited Metabolic Disease

PhD student Systems Medicine of Inherited Metabolic Disease

Closing date: August 17

Currently, we know more than 2,000 inherited metabolic diseases. To diagnose, treat, and monitor all of them, we need a generic approach to target groups of diseases effectively. Vitamin-derived coenzymes function as major hub molecules in metabolism, connecting many reactions. Therefore, they provide a promising starting point for nutritional therapies. The European HubMOL consortium brings together an international and interdisciplinary group of scientists to train PhD students in all aspects of coenzyme metabolism, from basic science to clinical and industrial applications. As one of the HubMOL nodes, the UMCG Laboratory of Pediatrics has a vacancy for a PhD student. The candidate will study the interplay between fatty-acid oxidation and coenzyme A metabolism, in order to develop novel nutrition-based therapies for inherited metabolic diseases in which coenzyme A plays a role.

Job Description

The PhD candidate will use computational models, cell culture and organoids (in vitro-cultured mini organs), to study the impact of enzyme deficiencies in the mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways. He/she will apply various mass spectrometry approaches to measure metabolite concentrations and fluxes, through stable-isotope incorporation. He/she will also use computational models to analyse isotope-enrichment kinetics and systemic effects of coenzyme A in metabolism. HubMOL PhD students will collaborate with each other internationally and across disciplines. An internship in one of the other HubMOL laboratories will be part of the project.

Working environment

The research group of Prof. Barbara Bakker at the UMCG Laboratory of Pediatrics is renowned for Systems Biology approaches for metabolic diseases, particularly fatty-acid oxidation disorders. The department of Pediatrics at UMCG is a center of expertise for various metabolic diseases. The department has a strong and collaborative team spirit and excellent research facilities. Locally at UMCG, the project is a collaboration with Prof. Ody Sibon, expert in coenzyme A biosynthesis, and with Dr. Rebecca Heiner, expert in metabolic disease and mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics. The European HubMOL consortium as well as the UMCG Graduate School of Medical Sciences offer a variety of scientific and complementary skills courses. We highly value a healthy working environment, integrating passion for science with wellbeing and personal development. The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is linked to the University of Groningen and located in the vibrant city center of Groningen. Groningen has a lively international student community and excellent sports and cultural facilities. The beautiful surroundings are ideal for outdoor activities.

What do we need

You have a masters degree in biochemistry, analytical (bio)chemistry cell biology, biomedical science, bioengineering, or equivalent, with a solid mathematical background and/or affinity for mathematical modelling. We favour candidates with expertise in mass spectrometry and/or mathematical modelling, but we are open to anybody with a relevant background, high motivation, capacity to learn new things, an attitude prone to interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong communicative skills. Excellent level of English speaking and writing skills is required.

Formal eligibility requirements to join the HubMOL consortium are found at: https://uit.no/research/hubmol#871843_buttoncont1. Of note, candidates can be of any nationality, but they are required to move physically from one country to another when taking up their appointment. Candidates shall not have resided or carried out their main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the starting date.

What do we offer

A full-time appointment for four years (36 hours a week). Your salary will be € 3.108 gross per month in the first year, and up to a maximum of € 3.939 gross per month in the last fourth year, depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment. 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).

Links

https://umcgresearch.org/w/systems-biology-of-metabolism-and-disease
https://uit.no/research/hubmol https://umcgresearch.org/w/section-laboratory-of-pediatrics