The mission of Sanquin is: “Together with the donor we ensure a better life for patients”. 
Sanquin is a knowledge-driven not-for-profit organization that supplies life-saving products and services, as well as involved in blood transfusion medicine- and immunology- related research. The research is performed by a dedicated staff and it is focused around five medical needs: 1. Anemia, 2. Bleeding and Hemostasis, 3. Cancer, 4. Immune deficiency and Aging, 5. Vascular and Inflammatory diseases. Sanquin’s research portfolio is divided into strategic research (ranging from basic to applied and clinical research) and product- and process development. We are looking for a highly motivated Research Technician, who will be working in our iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cell) facility within the department of Hematopoiesis.

What you will do
Within the iPSC facility we use iPSCs as models to study hematopoiesis in health and disease. In addition, we aim to use iPSCs as starting material to produce hematopoietic effector or progenitor cells that could eventually be used for transfusion or transplantation purposes. Within the iPSC facility, we reprogram somatic cells from control and patient material using various ways to introduce the reprogramming factors (e.g. episomal, Sendai, lentiviral). We characterize and maintain these iPSC lines on various matrices and develop specific protocols to differentiate iPSC to hematopoietic lineages. As a Research technician you will be embedded into a research project that aims to differentiate functional red blood cells from iPSC to be used in a clinical study. Besides this more basic research project, you will execute iPSC- generation, maintenance, characterization and cryobanking of specific iPSC lines. The position is strongly multidisciplinary, includes molecular biology, fluorescence-based techniques, high throughput techniques (mass spectrometry, sequencing) and extensive cell culture.

• a minimum of higher laboratory certificate (HLO) in cell biology or a related discipline;
• experience in iPSC handling will be a competitive advantage;
• an independent, responsible and team-oriented candidate;
• good communication and writing skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

• challenging project in a multi-disciplinary and enthusiastic international team; 
• temporary position (project duration of 3 years ); 
• salary and conditions are conform CAO Sanquin;
• 8,33% end-of-year bonus; i.e. a thirteenth month in case of full-year employment;
• partial reimbursement of travel costs;
• pension plan with Pensioenfonds Zorg & Welzijn (PFZW);
• at fulltime employment (36 hours) 201 hours of leave per annum.

the iPSC facility

You will be based in the Department of Hematopoiesis, which contains several research groups that study hematopoietic stem cells support by mesenchymal stromal cells, T-cell differentiation and activation, and the molecular mechanisms that control megakaryopoiesis and erythropoiesis. Our iPSC facility is a subgroup within the department, where we routinely generate and differentiate iPSC lines to various blood cell types. 
Sanquin provides a lively, internationally oriented, scientific environment with excellent facilities. We also organize weekly scientific meetings, journal clubs and work discussions to gain scientific input and to exchange knowledge.