Are you fascinated by Molecular Biology and have proven expertise with Molecular Biology Techniques? Are you exceptionally interested in collaborative projects? Do you want to contribute to the characterization of a possible future treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease? We are seeking a PhD candidate who is interested in studying and developing a microRNA-based therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease.

What are you going to do?

Under the supervision of your mentors, you will undertake ground-breaking research into the development of a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease based on microRNAs.

This includes, among other tasks, to:

• learn and develop new experimental molecular biology tools to manipulate specific cell types in vivo in the brain of animal models of AD;
• optimize the production of AAV-derived viral vectors for local and systemic delivery to the brain;
• learn how to apply several 'omics' techniques and analyze datasets obtained with them;
• perform multiple behavioral neuroscience techniques aimed to quantify hippocampal function;
• learn and apply multiple routine lab techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, light fluorescence and confocal microscopy, RT-QPCR, FACS, etc.;
• write scientific articles based on your review of the existing literature and on your own experimental results;
• maintain several rodent lines used in your experimental project;
• present your results in oral form in local, national and  international meetings.

We require:

• a Master’s degree in (Molecular) neurobiology or related fields;
• a strong scientific interest in molecular biology and disorders of the brain;
• documented experience with molecular biological and in vitro techniques, as demonstrated by your master internships, additional in vivo animal studies are a plus;
• the ability and willingness to work and develop yourself in an excellent scientific environment;
• a pro-active attitude, able to show an organized team spirit and display a positive attitude to collaborate with, and maintain communication between, colleagues at different research institutes.

You are expected to be:

• fascinated by molecular (neuro)biology and molecular mechanisms that control neurons and glial cells;
• interested in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer, and its treatment;
• capable to work with animal models of disease (Article 9 permit for animal experimentation is a plus);
• a good colleague and be open to collaborations with other institutes to (joint) research projects;
• familiar with the use and productions of viral vectors for the manipulation of gene expression.

With these characteristics you will join a team of excellent and experienced neurobiologists working in collaboration at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, and The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience both in Amsterdam. We will guide you to successfully study and characterize an innovative, future therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s Disease in animal models, based on the specific delivery of microRNAs to neurons and glial cells.

The project is funded by Alzheimer Nederland, the main Dutch charity funding fundamental research in the field of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and Master students. 

Based on a full-time employment contract (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,395 in the first year to €3,061 in the last year. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is a multidisciplinary research institute with a systems biology approach to the life sciences and one of the Faculty of Science’s largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research centred on four themes: 1.Cell & Sytems Biology; 2.Neurosciences; 3.Microbiology, and 4.Green Life Sciences

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN) performs fundamental research into the functioning of the brain. In the longer term, this knowledge will lead to new treatments. As an institute for excellent fundamental research the NIN’s role is unique.

The Fitzsimons lab at the SILS focuses on the identification of common mechanisms by which brain insults affect cognition. For this, we study the proliferation and function of neural stem and glial cells, resulting in the presence of abnormal neurons, circuits and cellular alterations associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.

The Salta lab at the NIN studies how the hippocampus is impacted by Alzheimer’s disease pathology and whether it can be ‘rejuvenated’ to counteract memory loss.