The group of Dr. Catherine Robin has an immediate opening for a creative and self-motivated Postdoc in the field of hematopoietic stem cell generation and regulation.

Description of the project

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for the production and replenishment of all blood cell types throughout life. How HSCs are formed and acquire their stem cell properties, i.e. self-renewal and multipotency, has inspired scientists and clinicians for many decades, leading to life-saving medical treatments, such as HSC transplantation. The adult HSC identity is already specified in the embryo, where concomitant with the initiation of the heartbeat, some

endothelial cells embedded in the wall of the aorta gain a hemogenic potential, allowing these cells to transdifferentiate to acquire an HSC fate. Despite intensive research efforts, basic questions on HSC emergence and regulation remain unanswered.

This project will explore the fundamental requirement to generate hemogenic endothelium and HSCs both in vivo (in mice and zebrafish models) and in vitro. Different in vitroexperimental approach will be developed, including ESC culture and novel bioengineering/bioprinting approaches to create and image in vitro an artificial system to induce HSC formation. The overall goal of this innovative project is to identify and manipulate the key mechano-biochemical signals, mechanisms and regulators involved in hemogenic endothelial and hematopoietic fate decision in a microenvironment created in vitro with unprecedented accuracy. This fundamental knowledge will open new avenues for setting the foundations of the next generation of HSC-based therapies.

We are looking for an outstanding and ambitious candidate, with a strong background in cellular/molecular biology and/or developmental biology/hematopoiesis. Candidates should have obtained their PhD and have first or co-author publications/preprints in the respective field. Candidates are expected to be able to work independently and in teams and have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. The candidate should be passionate about biology, curiosity driven, and be motivated to work hard in an ambitious, multidisciplinary, and international research team. The ability to work with animal is not mandatory but is a plus (obtention of Art.9 or any licence to work with animals).

Fixed-term contract: 1 year with the possibility of an extension.

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.420,- and the maximum salary is € 4.490,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment). For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Hubrecht Institute

The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focusing on developmental and stem cell biology. At the institute, more than 20 research groups perform fundamental and multidisciplinary research, both in healthy systems and disease models. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and is located on the Utrecht Science Park 'De Uithof'. Since 2008, the institute has been affiliated with the University Medical Center Utrecht, advancing the translation of research into clinical practice. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).

The Robin lab is located at the Hubrecht Institute, a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), situated on the Utrecht Science Park. The institute is pioneering in developmental and stem cell biology, encompassing 22 research groups that perform fundamental, multidisciplinary research on healthy and diseased cells, tissues, and organisms.