This project will be supervised by prof. dr. Bruno Reversade and dr. Marie van Dijk. The research in Amsterdam will be performed at the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at the Academic Medical Center under the direct guidance of dr. Marie van Dijk. This lab hosts around 25 people (group leaders, PhD students and technicians), working on various subjects within the human reproductive field. The research in Singapore will be performed in prof. dr. Bruno Reversade’s Laboratory of Human Genetics & Embryology at the A*STAR Institute of Medical Biology, hosting around 25 researchers.

We are looking for a highly motivated and flexible PhD candidate to work on a project that will be based in Amsterdam for 2 years followed by 2 years at the A*STAR Institute of Medical Biology in Singapore.

The PhD project will focus on embryonic and placental development during human pregnancy. The Amsterdam part of the project is based on human model systems (cell lines, placental explants) to investigate developmental processes occurring in the first trimester of human pregnancy. Situations leading to embryonic events such as identical twinning, and dysfunctional placentation causing pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction, will be simulated to provide key insight into the origins of these events. The Singaporean part of the project will further deepen these insights by using animal model systems (zebrafish, mice) and patient-derived iPSCs.

You have a Master’s degree in Biology or Biomedical Sciences (or equivalent) with interest in and experience with molecular biology techniques. You can work independently, accurately and systematically, and are able to work on multiple projects simultaneously. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills. You are bold, ambitious and ready to work across different continents and cultures.

We offer an ambitious and international PhD position based in two prestigious Institutions across Europe and Asia. You will initially be offered an employment contract for a period of 1 year at the AMC, with the possibility of extension. You will be employed by AMC Medical Research BV. The salary is in accordance with the CAO-UMC’s (OIO scale). In addition we offer a vacation allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. As a PhD student you are expected to follow courses provided by the AMC Graduate School. For the Singaporean-based part of the project support will come from the ARAP award funded by A*STAR.