Your work environment
We are offering two postdoc positions, one in the Exosomes Research Group (ERG) of the Dept. of Pathology and one in the Dept. of Medical Oncology in a shared project with the ERG and the Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. All research groups are affiliated with Cancer Center Amsterdam. The ERG focuses on the intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles (EV) with both an interest in fundamental aspects of cancer EV characterization and clinical applications. The preclinical laboratories of the Depts. of Medical Oncology and Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery focus on innovative translational research with the aim to personalize treatment and improve outcomes of patients with cancer. We offer a vibrant scientific environment within young, active and internationally oriented research groups with state of art Imaging and Genomics facilities.

Your challenge
Postdoctoral position 1 – Exosomes Research Group, 2 years: Inhibiting Extracellular Vesicle release from breast cancer cells to combat drug resistance.

This KWF kankerbestrijding-funded unique high-risk proposal builds on the concept that exosome pathways are activated in (drug-resistant) cancer cells and represent an unexplored druggable opportunity. Our main goal is to inhibit EV pathways in resistant breast cancer cells with small molecule kinase inhibitors using a unique optical-reporter assay that monitors exosome release from individual cancer cells using live cell imaging.

Postdoctoral position 2 – Dept. of Medical Oncology, 2 years: Extracellular vesicle microRNAs for non-invasive therapy response evaluation, early detection of recurrence and treatment outcome prediction in patients with head and neck cancer.
Preliminary findings in both hematological and solid malignancies show that disease-specific EV microRNA signatures can be established. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the clinical and research focuses of VUmc CCA. Within this collaborative effort we aim to improve the clinical management of patients with HNC through personalization of treatment with liquid biopsy-guided treatment decisions.

You are a highly motivated and ambitious (junior) postdoc with a relevant PhD in the field of:

• Advanced (live-cell) microscopy, cell biology, molecular cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing (Post-doc 1).
• Next-generation sequencing with associated bioinformatics (Post-doc 2).

In addition, you function well in a team, possess good communication skills but can think independently, and thrive within an international cross-disciplinary fast-paced environment. Fluency in spoken English and proficiency in writing is required.

Salary Scale 10: 2659 tot 4216 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).

In addition to a good base salary, we offer, amongst others, an 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay. For more information on our fringe benefits, please see our benefits.

For Dutch citizens it is mandatory to provide a VOG (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag).

VU University Medical Center (VUmc)

VU University Medical Center was founded on 1 January 2001. It was created by the integration of the VU hospital, which opened in 1966, and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Medicine, which was founded in 1950. The history of medical science at VU Amsterdam stretches back to the beginning of the last century. The motto adopted by the VU hospital was 'Medicina Miseriacordiae Ministra' (medicine is the servant of mercy). This motto characterizes the Christian tradition from which the VU hospital sprang. Its priorities are human dignity and respectful treatment.

http://www.vumc.nl/