Targeted radionuclide imaging and therapy are methods successfully applied in the clinic for imaging and treatment of various cancer types. Radiotracers directed against a specific biomarker overexpressed on cancer cells are applied for the precise delivery of radioactivity to biomarker-expressing cancer cells for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Over the years radiotracers directed against various targets have been developed. A few are clinically applied, while some are still being investigated preclinically. Although the clinically applied radiotracers are successful, complete response in patients after targeted radionuclide therapy is rare. This indicates the need for novel strategies to improve this treatment. One such a strategy is the combination of radionuclide treatment with other anti-cancer treatments such as immunotherapy.

In the past years immunotherapy has become an important pilar in cancer treatment. At the basis of successful cancer immunotherapy is infiltration and activation of effector T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment. Unfortunately, tumor cells have developed a variety of mechanism to reduce anti-cancer immunity including expression of immune checkpoint proteins. The use of inhibitors of such proteins has shown to increase immune-mediated cancer cell killing, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are successfully applied clinically as a monotherapy. In turn radiation therapy has shown to increase tumor immunogenicity by inducing immunogenic cell death which can lead to the release of tumor-associated antigens and an inflammatory phenotype. In line with this the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and radionuclide therapy has the potential to increase the anti-tumor efficacy of these monotherapies producing a synergistic effect.

One of the aims of the postdoc project is to study the potential of combining targeted radionuclide treatment and immunotherapy, but also the combination of targeted radionuclide therapy with other anti-cancer strategies will be explored. Moreover, targeting of different cell types in the tumor microenvironment for development of successful theranostic strategies will also be part of the project. The postdoc will be involved in setting up, designing and executing relevant studies. This will include both in vitro cell and tissue assays, in vivo experimentation in mouse models of cancer and histological examination of tumor tissue.

• You are a highly motivated candidate with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Molecular Biology, Nuclear Medicine, Biomedical Science, Immunology).
• You have outstanding theoretical and experimental research skills, in addition to a solid background in biology.
• You are well organized and result-driven with a strong team spirit.
• You have experience with the design and execution of animal studies.
• Experience with radiolabeling, radionuclide imaging and immunology will be considered an advantage.
• The successful candidate will have strong English skills (both written and oral).

The appointment is available from February 1st, 2022. You will receive a temporary position for 14 months. The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 4.707,- (scale 10), depending on your level of education and relevant experience and based on a full-time working week of 36 hours).

Erasmus MC

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education. This is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. In research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow.

The Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine of the Erasmus MC is the largest department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Our department is dedicated to high quality patient care, education, and research. Concerning research, the department is known for its forefront research and its state-of-the-art facilities.