Job Erasmus MC - Ph.D. student (OIO)

The position will be open in the lab of Dr. Derk ten Berge, one of the 4 core labs of the Erasmus MC Stem Cell Institute. The succesful candidate will work as a member of a small team that collaborates closely with several outside labs. The project focuses on the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells by extracellular factors, and builds upon our recent discoveries of a new mechanism of general importance in stem cell self renewal that makes use of signaling proteins belonging to the Wnt family. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which Wnt proteins support self renewal and control differentiation is expected to lead to ways to expand medically relevant stem cell populations, and to control their differentiation into specific tissues. Towards these goals, we study the role of these extracellular signals in the self-renewal and differentiation of mouse and human embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells.

We are looking for a talented candidate with a M.Sc. Degree, preferably with a background in cell or developmental biology or biochemistry. Above all we look for a candidate who pairs independent thinking with a collaborative nature, and is ambitious, eager to pursue a scientific career in the field of stem cell biology, and ready to undertake a challenging scientific project in a highly interactive environment.

We offer you a temporary full-time appointment as a Ph.D. student for a period of four years. The Ph.D. position involves a gross monthly salary of € 2.086,- in the 1st year and increases to € 2.673,- in the 4th year, with a full-time appointment. The conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

Erasmus MC is an internationally recognized center for high-quality, compassionate care, highly rated transfer of knowledge and high-quality knowledge development in the fields of illness and health.

The Erasmus MC Stem Cell Institute for Regenerative Medicine (http://www.erasmusmc.nl/medical_genetics/esi) pursues fundamental and translational research to facilitate stem cell therapies and innovative medical advances. The program of the Institute involves the functional characterization of stem cells throughout development, the genetic and epigenetic programming of stem cells, and stem cell-based regenerative therapies. These themes are applied to multiple tissues including pluripotent cells and blood, muscle, bone and nervous systems. The Institute houses innovative technologies and top level facilities to support these programs, and Erasmus MC has a wide range of translational expertise to expedite development of therapies.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Derk ten Berge at: d.tenberge@erasmusmc.nl. For other information, please contact Wilma Nentenaar, HRM Consultant, telephone (+31) (10) 703 8037, or by e-mail to: w.nentenaar@erasmusmc.nl.