This ambitious project will address the molecular epigenetic basis of cellular identity. The Polycomb group of proteins are important regulators of this identity as these proteins repress ectopic expression of developmental control genes. This controls proliferation, patterning and cell-lineage commitment and is deregulated in cancer. How Polycomb is targeted to genes in humans and other vertebrates has remained enigmatic for a long time, but our recent results have shed exciting new light on this issue: we have identified a protein that directs Polycomb to its target genes by direct binding of unmethylated DNA.

As a PhD candidate/postdoctoral researcher you will further elucidate how Polycomb controls gene regulation. Using state-of-the-art molecular techniques (next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry) you will examine how Polycomb recruitment is regulated during cellular differentiation and in malignancies. You will have the opportunity to develop and work on novel ideas.

- a Master’s degree (PhD candidate position) or a PhD (postdoctoral researcher position) in molecular or cellular biology, molecular life sciences or a related field;
- experience in one or more of the following areas: molecular biology techniques, next-generation sequencing, genomics and gene regulation, or computational analysis;
- excellent communication skills in written and spoken English;
- strong analytical skills, a problem-solving and result-oriented attitude;
- the ability to work and interact with others in an energetic and supportive research environment.

duration of the contract: 4 years (PhD candidate position) or 2 years (postdoctoral researcher position). As a PhD candidate you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years
- you will be classified as a PhD Candidate or as a Postdoctoral Researcher, Level 4 in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO).
depending on your profile, you will be appointed as a PhD Candidate (gross starting salary amounts to €2,222 per month, and will increase to €2,840 in the fourth year, P scale) or Postdoctoral Researcher (maximum gross monthly salary of €4,084, scale 10).
The Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.

Radboud University

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

Faculty of Science

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious experimental biologist to join our research team in the Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, located at the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Faculty of Science (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands). We offer a first class international research environment in regulation of gene expression and epigenetics using state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic technologies and bioinformatics. We run next-generation sequencers, single-cell equipment, and mass spectrometers, and we accommodate a bioinformatics team and a local computational infrastructure.

No commercial propositions please.