As postdoctoral research fellow you will be responsible for the coordination and execution of the study on Lgr-positive cells, which have potential stem cell properties, in the cochlea of mice. You will carry out your work in collaboration with other investigators and with our laboratory's research technician. Further responsibilities will include supervising PhD students in Otorhinolaryngology and students involved in the research program, publishing research results, possibly seeking funding for the continuation of the study and attending various national and international research meetings to discuss the progress of the study.

You have obtained a PhD (or are expected to obtain a PhD in the near future) in biology, biomedical sciences, neurosciences or a comparable field, and have a publication record relevant to stem cell research. You have the desire to conduct and publish research at the cutting edge of the field, as well as strong communication skills, and affinity for teamwork and the ability to run a laboratory.

Fixed-term contract: temporary appointment for 2 years.

For this 100% post, the maximum gross salary will be € 4.216,- based on full-time employment (36-hour work week). This will be a temporary appointment for 2 years.

University Medical Centre Utrecht

With over 1,100 beds and more than 11,000 employees, the University Medical Center Utrecht is one of the largest academic health care centers in the Netherlands. Our aim is to improve. Our patients’ health, but also our students and employees. Whether you are a doctor or a business economist, a researcher or a SAP-specialist: working with us means having a job that matters, access to the best facilities and the opportunity to grow as a professional and contribute towards innovative health care.

Scientific research at the UMC Utrecht is rooted in the world around us. We listen to people; the wishes and needs of patients come first. Together with our national and international partners, we invest in innovation and research in order to ensure that our care remains of the highest quality. Focus is pivotal in this, which is why we have concentrated our research in six programs:

• Brain
• Infection & Immunity
• Circulatory Health
• Personalized Cancer Care
• RM & Stem Cells
• Child Health

http://www.werkenbijumcutrecht.nl/

Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery

At the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery at UMC Utrecht we perform cochlear implantations in patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss in order to restore their hearing. Combining histological and electrophysiological methods, the research conducted at our laboratory has long been aimed at improving hearing with a cochlear implant (including neurotrophic treatment of the auditory nerve). Recently, we expanded our interests to include the regeneration of sensory cells aimed at restoration of acoustic hearing without the need for electronic devices. This project focuses on the behavior of cells positive for Lgr receptors (including Lgr 5, a WNT target gene), with the particular emphasis on their role in damage and repair, as well as restoration of cochlear sensory cells by WNT signaling in the mammalian cochlea. The successful candidate will be running this project in our stem cell lab.