We offer an exciting PhD project in an international research department. You will employ cell culture and organoid models to study the role of biomolecular condensates in signaling-driven gene regulation using biochemistry, high resolution live-cell imaging and DNA sequencing.

Gene regulation a major driving force in development and differentiation. Therefore, faulty gene regulation lies at the heart of the majority of diseases. Intracellular signaling coordinates cell behavior and cell identity by directly regulating gene expression and constitutive signaling leads to cancer. So far understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lead to signaling-driven cancer formation are poorly understood. The recent discovery of signaling condensates (“protein droplets”) tells us that these have might an important function in signaling driven-gene regulation. The candidate will study the function of signaling condensates and gene regulation in cancer to gain mechanistic insight and identify potential new therapeutic avenues, using state-of-the-art live cell imaging, genome engineering and organoid culturing approaches.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch University Medical Centers. This job is based on a temporary position for 4 years.

Please send applications including your CV with a letter of motivation, a list of publications, and contact details of at least two references.

We believe in the power of a diverse team in which there is room for different skills, expertise, and social and cultural backgrounds. We invite you to respond to this vacancy.

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 3.196,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

UMC Utrecht Center for Molecular Medicine

The candidate will be appointed in the UMC Utrecht Center for Molecular Medicine (http://cmm.umcutrecht.nl/) in the group of Dr. Jurian Schuijers (schuijerslab.org). A major focus of the CMM is understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer. The Schuijers group focusses on biomolecular condensates in transcription using WNT-driven colon cancer as primary model system, and has a strong background in genomics, development of live-cell imaging techniques, genome engineering, (patient derived) organoids and biochemistry.