As PhD student you will participate in scientific research focusing on children with Angelman syndrome (AS). AS is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder (affecting 1:20.000 births), characterized by a severe developmental delay, the absence of speech and motor problems. Children with AS can have typical facial features, epilepsy, behavioral problems and sleep problems.

The research will focus on the (cognitive, behavioral and somatic) development of children with AS, with potential papers for example focusing on genotype-phenotype associations, anxiety and quality of life in children with AS. Also, you will be responsible for setting up a new study in which we aim to find feasible, sensitive and responsive outcome measures on neurocognitive functioning (like eye tracking, fNIRS and questionnaires) for future treatment studies. Finally, the organization and management of the AS database will be a responsibility.

You have a strong background in (neuro-, developmental or clinical) Psychology or Medicine. Affinity with this (pediatric) patient population is important. Since you will also guide the study visits, a good command (oral and written) of the Dutch, as well as the English, language is required. Writing skills must be excellent and basic knowledge of genetics and statistics is mandatory. You should have a high level of motivation and commitment to produce accurate and high-quality work and have excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and documentation skills. It is important that you are able to work both independently and within a team. Experience with programming and writing syntax in programs such as Matlab and E-prime is considered an advantage, as well as experience with physiological measurements.

Being able to present a certificate of good conduct, a valid proof of identity, diploma's and/ or relevant registration such as BIG/ RGS are conditions for the appointment.

The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 4.481,- (scale 10), depending on your level of education and relevant experience and based on a full-time working week of 36 hours. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

The position will be temporary, initially for 2 years, with the intention to extend to 4 years.

Erasmus MC

Erasmus MC stands for a healthy population and excellence in healthcare. By conducting groundbreaking work, we aim to push boundaries through leading the way in research, education and healthcare. We have access to the latest equipment and techniques in a state-of-the-art environment.

This project is a collaboration between the department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology (CAPP) and the department of Pediatrics. The department of CAPP is the only independent department for child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology in the Netherlands that is integrated within a university medical center. Research in the CAPP department mainly focuses on general population samples and clinical epidemiology and is part of the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences (NIHES). The department is leading in Europe as far as standardized diagnostic assessment procedures are concerned and is internationally one of the strongest centers conducting etiological epidemiological research in the field of child psychopathology. The department of CAPP brings together clinical services, research, education and training to offer care and treatment, based upon reliable research evidence. Within the context of the expertise center ENCORE, the department of CAPP has extensive collaborations with the department of Neuroscience, Clinical Genetics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Neurology. The department of Pediatrics consists of a team of 10 pediatricians, involved in academic pediatric care, education of residents in pediatrics and active research. There is a special interest in genetic and developmental disorders with active participation in ENCORE. You will work closely together with a pediatric PhD focusing on the more somatic aspects of AS.

The current project is embedded within ENCORE. ENCORE expertise center for neurodevelopmental disorders is an internationally recognized and highly successful translational collaboration of Erasmus Medical Center between clinical and preclinical departments, specifically focused on neurodevelopmental disorders. ENCORE is the result of the growing need of (inter)national expert centers for special, rare and hereditary diseases. ENCORE focuses specifically on syndromes that are linked to genes in the Ras/ERK and Rheb/mTOR signal transduction pathway. ENCORE stimulates the collaboration between medical specialists and scientists and combines fundamental with preclinical and clinical research.