In the Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology we study colon cancer and specifically the differences between distinct biological subtypes. In a large consortium called CONNECTION  funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) we will initiate a neoadjuvant multi-center clinical trial on stage III colon cancer patients. The aim of this trial is to identify subgroups with a good response to therapy by comparing biopsies and resection material of patients before and after neo-adjuvant CAPOX therapy. In addition, we aim to analyze the predictive value of this response to chemotherapy for the outcome of the patient in a 3 year follow up. For this study we are looking for a PhD student with a keen interest in Radiology and Pathology. Both areas are of utmost importance to on one hand identify patients that are eligible for this trial, which will be based on CT scans, and on the other hand for the chemotherapy response monitoring, which will be based on radiological response monitoring and pathological examination. Automation of the response monitoring will be part of the studies.

We are looking for a PhD student with proven interest in Radiology and/or Pathology. Medical students, Technical Medicine students and Biomedical students can all apply. As this is a consortium-initiated study you will work together with other teams from different University Hospitals (UMCU, RadboudMC and ErasmusMC) where surgical and medical oncological PhD students will be appointed. Moreover you will need to have close ties with the hospitals executing the clinical trial. We are therefore seeking a very pro-active person with excellent communication skills.

You will initially be offered an employment contract for a period of 1 year at the AMC, with the possibility of extension with another 3 years. You will be employed by AMC Medical Research BV.

The salary is in accordance with the UMC-CAO. PhD students (Onderzoeker in Opleiding) are placed in scale 21, with a fulltime gross salary that ranges from €2266,- to €2903,- and is based on qualifications and experience. For a doctor (Arts-Onderzoeker) it’s scale 10, with a fulltime gross salary that ranges from €2903,- to €4194,- and is based on qualifications and experience.

In addition we offer a vacation allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. 

AMC Medical Research

The AMC is more than just a hospital. It is a world in which patient care, research and education are integrated, and in which people are always central. It is an academic world full of possibilities for talented individuals that are looking for a place where they can excel. Thinking big, daring to dream, cooperating internationally. And never letting yourself be put off by ‘It’s not possible’ or ’It won’t work anyway’. That is the AMC mentality.

We offer a position within the Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR) at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. LEXOR encompasses an international team of more than 50 researchers, both pre-clinical and clinical, which all focus on the biological aspects of gastrointestinal cancer. Cell biological approaches, primary cultures, animal models and clinical studies are conducted in order to address the mechanisms by which tumor cells develop and resist chemo-, radio- and targeted therapy in a highly competitive, international and stimulating environment.