The current job opportunity is supported by the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project titled 'Induced pluripotent stem cell-based therapy for spinal regeneration' (iPSpine). The consortium addresses an unmet clinical need of societal problem that is the leading cause of disability and morbidity worldwide, i.e. low back pain (LBP). Although the cause of LBP is multifactorial, it is widely accepted that a major contributor to LBP is degeneration of the spine’s intervertebral discs (IVDs). The iPSpine consortium, initiated and coordinated by professor Tryfonidou, was granted 15 million euro to initiate a European-led research effort to identify a future advanced therapeutic strategy that can address the societal need for a radical new treatment of LBP. 

You will become a member of the iPSpine team, a multidisciplinary team with expertise in the development of advanced therapies and their translation from bench to bedside. The aim of iPSpine is to investigate and develop a new advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) of the future, based on a novel developmental biology approach involving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and smart biomaterials. The iPSpine consortium will develop and demonstrate preclinical proof-of concept for this radical new iPSC-based therapeutic strategy. Our new colleague will enforce the orthopaedics group that is embedded in Regenerative Medicine Utrecht  and housed at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht.

You will be closely collaborating with other members of the consortium appointed at the Hubrecht Institute, the University Medical Center Utrecht (dept. Orthopaedics) ánd the international iPSpine partners, based in Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the USA.

You will work within an interdisciplinary team in order to contribute to the aforementioned overall aim of the iPSpine consortium. In particular, you will work with iPS-based technologies to contribute to developing the therapeutic strategy. You will contribute to the iPSpine objectives by  exploring the role of extracellular vesciles in cellular communication mediating the regenerative and anti-catabolic effects of iPS-derived notochordal cells compared to native cells, and/or perform functional studies to provide a better understanding on the mode of action of the differentiated iPSCs being developed, perform in vivo preclinical studies and contribute to the first-in-dog studies of this project.

We are looking for a colleague who:

• is a Master in life sciences or veterinary science with academic excellence in research, demonstrated by an outstanding master research thesis and research projects;
• has good grounding in developmental biology. Basic biomolecular, biochemical, cell/tissue culture skills are prerequisites;
• has expertise in tissue progenitor cells, iPS cells and their challenges. A knowledge of techniques involved in extracellular vesicles characterization are highly desirable;
• is enthusiastic and creative with excellent communication skills and can work in a multidisciplinary team.

You will be expected to also supervise Master's students of the scientific team addressing the separate iPSpine tasks.

We offer a full-time position (1.0 FTE), initially for a period of one year. The gross monthly salary is based on experience and qualifications and ranges between €2,325 and €2,972 (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, but researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.