Job Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - PhD researcher Stem Cells

The project is part of a research project financed by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality with the goal of developing novel strategies for the production of meat replacements and high-quality proteins. In this part of the project the possibilities to use pig stem cells for the generation of a sustainable protein product as a meat replacement are investigated. This project will take place in close collaboration with Wageningen UR where the ethical aspects related to the production and consumption of meat replacements will be investigated.

Duties
The PhD student’s main tasks will be (1) the generation and characterization of stem cell lines (both embryonic and adult) from the pig; (2) analysis of the molecular mechanisms that are involved in self-renewal of these cells; (3) identification of signaling pathways involved in the differentiation of these cells to myoblasts.

We are looking for an MSc in Biology, Medical Biology or (Bio)Chemistry with affinity for and experience with cell biology and molecular biology.

We offer a fulltime appointment for a period of 1 year (full time) with the perspective of prolongation with another 3 years. The gross salary starts with € 2,042.- per month in the first year and increases to € 2,612.- per month in the fourth year of employment (salary scale P Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities).

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8,3% per year.

There are outstanding secondary benefits, based on the CAO of Netherlands Universities and include e.g. a minimum of 29 days holiday per year, an arrangement for study facilities, generous contributions to healthcare, childcare, a pension scheme and flexible employment conditions.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the only Veterinary School in the Netherlands and ranks internationally amongst the highest in education, scientific research and clinical care. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is among Europe’s leaders in veterinary education, research and patient care as witnessed by its accreditation by both the American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations. The Faculty participates in various university collaborations, among which is the Academic Biomedical Center (ABC), a unique collaboration of biomedical and life sciences. Both fundamental and applied research is conducted at the Faculty. In the new research programmes 'Biology of Reproductive Cells' and 'Tissue Repair' of the faculty, stem cell research forms an important theme.

The Faculty employs approximately 1000 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and, to facilitate the attainment of ‘critical mass’, its research functions are coordinated centrally by the Institute of Veterinary Sciences and the Graduate School of Animal Health.  More information concerning the faculty and Utrecht University can be found at http://www.uu.nl/.

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from prof. dr. H.P. Haagsman, tel. +31 (0) 253 5354; e-mail h.p.haagsman@uu.nl  or from dr. B.A.J. Roelen, tel. +31 (0) 253 3352; e-mail b.a.j.roelen@uu.nl.

Please do not send your application to these addresses.