The appointment of Post-doc position 1 will be shared by the University of Groningen and Aston University. You will spend around 50% of your time at both these institutions. You will work on the role of the endothelial cell in instructing alveolar epithelial cells and in instructing pericytes. The aim will be to unravel mechanisms of cell-cell communication that will be evaluated as potential drug targets. The candidate for postdoc position 2 will have a primary affiliation with the Leiden University Medical Center and will work closely with the University of Twente through recurring research stays of multiple weeks. You will work on the role of the endothelial cell in instructing alveolar epithelial cells using new technologies including induced pluripotent stem cells and microfluidic vessel-on-a-chip models. The aim will be to unravel mechanisms of cell-cell communication that will be evaluated as potential drug targets.

You have a PhD degree (Medical) Biology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Life Science and Technology, or a related area. Experience with endothelial cell biology and 3D organoid cultures is desirable for postdoc position 1. Experience with induced pluripotent stem cells, organ-on-chip models and 3D organoid cultures is desirable for postdoc position 2. You also have demonstrable (publications) experience in pulmonary or vascular cell biology. Furthermore, you have good knowledge of written and spoken English and enthusiasm for biomedical and pharmaceutical research in an interdisciplinary setting. One of the specific requirements for this position is mobility between two different sites. Although appointment of postdoc 1 is at the University of Groningen, the position is a formal collaboration between the University of Groningen (Prof. Reinoud Gosens, Prof. dr. Marco Harmsen) and Aston University (Dr Jill Johnson). Although appointment of postdoc 2 is at the Leiden University Medical Center, the position is a formal collaboration between the Leiden University Medical Center (Prof. Pieter Hiemstra) and the University of Twente (Dr Andries van der Meer).

Fixed-term contract: min. 1,5 years.

You will be employed on the basis of a 36-hour week. You will be appointed for 1,5 years, with the possibility of an extension to 3,5 years. The salary will depend on your qualifications and experience, with a maximum of € 4,481 gross per month based on a full time position (scale 10 of the Collective Labor Agreement for University Hospitals).

The preferred starting dates will be 1 January 2020.

Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)

Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) is a modern university medical center for research, education and patient care with a strong scientific orientation. Basic research at the LUMC results in new discoveries and leads to future innovations, and translational and clinical research is conducted to develop innovations and improve healthcare. A state-of-the-art infrastructure is available for research excellence. Regenerative medicine is one the main research focus areas of the LUMC and Leiden University. Its unique research practice, ranging from pure fundamental medical research to applied clinical research, places LUMC among the world top. You will collaborate with and/or work at the University of Groningen, University of Twente and Aston University (Birmingham, UK).