The successful candidate will work part-time as a junior clinical Embryologist within the Equine Reproduction Team of Utrecht University’s Clinic for Horses, but will dedicate most of the time to a PhD project investigating the origin of aneuploidy in mammalian embryos. The clinical activity will account for 25% of the candidate’s time and will consist of supporting the clinical programme in all activities related to in vitro production and preservation of equine embryos (ovum pick up, oocyte maturation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture, embryo cryopreservation, and thawing of embryos for transfer to recipient mares). As part of the clinical team, the candidate will be part of a 1 in 3 rota to cover embryo thawing on weekends and public holidays during the horse breeding season (March – August).

The PhD candidate's research project will bridge basic biology and clinically relevant problems. This will be facilitated by enrolling the PhD student in the research teams of both Promotors: Prof Geert Kops at the Hubrecht Institute performing cutting edge research on cell division and chromosome segregation, and the Reproduction Research Lab, lead by Prof Tom Stout internationally renowned for applying cutting edge reproductive technologies to veterinary species.

Working between labs , the candidate will have access to advanced microscopic technology to study cell division in live oocytes and early embryos. In addition, access to advanced single cell sequencing technologies, mass-spectrometry, and molecular biology will be available. Our research partners include laboratories in Belgium, Germany, UK and Switzerland, allowing the candidate to expand his or her working network.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Zoology, Veterinary Medicine or Medicine. Some experience with embryology or cell culture, while not essential, is an advantage. We are looking for a flexible team player interested in working in a multi-disciplinary team.

The appointment is initially for a period of one year (full-time). Satisfactory progress during the first year will lead to prolongation of the contract for three more years, to complete the PhD studies. The appointment should lead to a dissertation. The gross salary will range from €2,325 in the first year to €2,972 in the fourth year (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. Utrecht University offers excellent secondary benefits including a minimum of 29 leave days per year, collective insurance options, an excellent retirement scheme and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

The research project will be performed at Utrecht University‘s Department of Clinical Sciences in close collaboration with the Kops Group at the Hubrecht institute, also located at the Utrecht Science Park.

Utrecht University was ranked first nationally in the 2017 Academic Ranking of World Universities, and 47th globally. The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its centuries-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands.

 

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution in the country where Veterinarians are trained, but it is renowned for its innovative interdisciplinary and translational research, which applies knowledge from basic biology to address clinical medical needs. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. A focus on disease, health and well-being of animals and their environments underpins the faculty's three main pillars: education, research, and veterinary health care. The faculty hosts 1,500 students and 900 employees.