Repetitive DNA sequences are difficult to replicate and prone to cause genome instability, which can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Prominent examples are chromosome ends, the telomeres, whose attrition is a hallmark of ageing; CAG repeats related to Huntington’s disease; and G4C2 repeats related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Interestingly, several studies have indicated that nuclear pore complexes (NPCs; the gateways between the nucleus and the cytoplasm) are important to facilitate the replication of difficult-to-replicate sequences. We aim to identify and characterize the mechanisms that facilitate the replication of such sequences, and to determine how these mechanisms are orchestrated at the NPC.

You are expected to conduct a research project, involving a combination of yeast genetics, molecular biology, and live-cell imaging, embedded within the research groups of Prof. Liesbeth Veenhoff (Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry) and Dr. Michael Chang (Laboratory of Telomeres and Genome Integrity).

- an exciting research project;
- mentoring, supervision and training;
- access to state-of-the art infrastructure;
- a stimulating international research environment;
- a competitive salary.

Requirements
- The applicants can be of any nationality.
- The candidate should have an MSc in biomolecular sciences (or equivalent).
- The candidate has solid experience with cell biological and molecular techniques.
- Applicants should be team-oriented, highly motivated, self-driven and proficient in written and spoken English.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.

In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

The University Medical Center Groningen offers a salary of € 2.495 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 3.196 gross per month in the last year. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

It concerns a fulltime appointment (36 h/week) for a period of four years to be concluded with a PhD examination. After one year, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to expect a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the coming three years. Duration of the contract: One year with possibility for extension (funding available for four years).

More information
The Chang lab: https://eriba.umcg.nl/groups/telomeres-and-genome-integrity/
The Veenhoff lab: https://eriba.umcg.nl/groups/cellular-biochemistry/
ERIBA: https://eriba.umcg.nl/
Groningen: https://portal.groningen.nl/en

For additional information, you may contact:
- Dr. Michael Chang, email address: m.chang@umcg.nl
- Prof. Liesbeth Veenhoff, email address: l.m.veenhoff@rug.nl
Please do not use e-mail addresses for applications.

Applications
Full applications including a motivation letter, your resume and two contacts for reference letters will receive full consideration if received before November 1, 2020. You can only apply using the digital application form at the UMCG website and upload the relevant documents. Applications using the indicated email-address will not be processed. Following your application you will receive an email confirmation.

ERIBA

The European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA) is a research institute within the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). ERIBA aims to discover molecular mechanisms of ageing that can be used as targets to prevent or delay age-related diseases. Our research teams are working with different model systems and technology platforms and share their knowledge and expertise to accelerate discoveries. ERIBA and the UMCG are located in Groningen, a vibrant student town in the northern Netherlands. PhD students are enrolled in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen.