We offer a position for a highly motivated Postdoc to investigate epigenetic mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor with often a fatal outcome. Primary tumors go in complete remission upon therapy, but relapse as resistant disease. At the department of Oncogenomics we study relapse mechanisms by high throughput-, bioinformatic- and cell biology- technologies. We found that neuroblastoma consist of two phenotypically divergent types of tumor cells (van Groningen et al., Nature Genetics 2017). They share the same genetic defects and can transdifferentiate into one another. They also have a highly divergent epigenetic landscapes, including different super enhancers and core regulatory circuitries. One of the cell types is more therapy-resistant and may cause relapses. In this project, funded by the Netherlands Cancer Foundation, we will clarify the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the trans-differentiation between the two cell types and their deregulation in cancer. You will apply screening technologies with in vitro trans-differentiation models, ChIPseq and other chromatin analyses and collaborate with the bioinformatics team in the department for bioinformatic analyses. Effects of drugs intervening with epigenetic modification will be tested.

We are looking for an ambitious postdoc with an interest in gene regulation and epigenetics. Experience in molecular biology and cell culture techniques is required. Experience with analysis of high-throughput data (e.g. expression arrays, RNA-seq and ChIP-seq) is preferred, but the department has a strong bioinformatics team (head Dr. Jan Koster). Good communication in English is required.

The postdoc position is full-time for 4 years, with an evaluation after 2 years. Starting date is as soon as possible or after agreement.

We offer you ample opportunity for development, deepening and broadening, additional training and a place to grow! Working at Amsterdam UMC, AMC location means working in an inspiring and professional environment where development is encouraged in every respect.

• The maximum gross monthly salary based on a 36-hour work week is € 4.361,00 (scale 10 CAO UMC)
• The base salary does not include allowances for holiday pay (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%) and pensionplan.
• In addition to excellent accessibility by public transport, AMC location also has a sufficient number of parking spaces for employees.

For an overview of all our other terms of employment, see www.werkenbijamc.nl/arbeidsvoorwaarden-amr

Oncogenomics

The department of Oncogenomics has a long-standing research line in neuroblastoma and collected extensive high throughput data on tumors and cell lines. Research teams focus on cellular re-programming, epigenetics, drug-resistance and bioinformatics. The reprogramming between the two neuroblastoma cell phenotypes is the focus of the group of Dr. Linda Valentijn. You will work in this team to study this reprogramming. Combination of hands on research and bioinformatics in the R2 platform (Dr. Jan Koster) allows integration and analysis of data of neuroblastoma and other tissues.