Your challenge

The successful candidate will study inflammation-resolving mechanisms, define lipid mediator signatures in body fluids and brain tissues of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, to ultimately pave the way for MS patient stratification (diagnosis) and design novel resolution-inducing therapies to combat MS. As a junior researcher, your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• Integrating metabolomics data to define lipid mediator signatures in human MS tissues and body fluids in all disease stages of MS.
• Unravel the underlying mechanism of action and validate new targets by using human in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo rodent models for MS.
• You will use state-of-the-art lipidomics and mass spectrometry imaging techniques and will apply bioinformatics to analyze the data.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with:

• A Master’s degree in a field related to biochemistry, biomedical sciences and/or immunology;
• Affinity for biochemistry, immunology and neuroscience;
• Interest in high-dimensional technologies and pushing the boundaries of research through technology-driven applications;
• Experience with animal experiments (article 9 qualified), high-dimensional data analysis and biostatistics is a plus;
• You have a flexible, pro-active team spirit but you can also work independently;
• Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

Salary Scale PHD: 2422 tot 3103 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).

In addition we offer:

• Additional benefits include an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay.
• Your pension premium will be paid by us for 2/3.
• We reimburse 75% of your OV travel costs (commuting costs).

The intended start date for the project is November 1st 2019.
The position is for 4 years. We first offer a fixed term contract for 1 year, which under normal circumstances will be prolonged with 3 years. We also provide you with the opportunity to follow further training and development.

For more information about our employment conditions, please visit our website.
For Dutch citizens it is mandatory to provide a VOG (a declaration of good behaviour).

Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology

This translational project incorporates fundamental research questions as well as translational applications in in vivo models, human in vitro models and analysis of MS patient material with the ultimate goal to translate our findings to the clinic. To do so, we integrated our complementary expertise on the resolution of neuro-inflammation (dr. Gijs Kooij, VUmc) and metabololipidomics (dr. Martin Giera, LUMC) to create a unique research environment to successfully perform this interdisciplinary research.

This joint project will be performed at Amsterdam UMC in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (location VUmc; O|2 Lab Building) as well as the Center for Proteomics and Metabolimcs (LUMC). At these places, you will work in a team with young and enthusiastic researchers, who have expertise in immunology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, cell biology, neuroscience and neurological diseases.

Research within the department Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (VUmc) and the center for proteomics and metabolomics (LUMC) is performed in a stimulating environment and at an international high competitive level.

The project is funded by an NWO-Vidi grant and embedded in the following research institutes: Amsterdam Neuroscience and Amsterdam Infection & Immunity.

Recent relevant publications

1. Pro-resolving lipid mediators are leads for resolution physiology. Serhan CN. Nature. 2014 Jun 5;510(7503):92-101. PMID: 24899309
2. Colas RA, Shinohara M, Dalli J, Chiang N, Serhan CN. Identification and signature profiles for pro-resolving and inflammatory lipid mediators in human tissue. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2014 Jul 1;307(1):C39-54. PMID: 24696140