Cell polarity – the asymmetric distribution of components and functions within a cell along a directional axis – is a key property necessary for cells to carry out their specialised functions and organise the 3D multicellular body. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student who will join our research efforts to understand how epithelial cells and tissues become polarised, organised, and function.

The most abundant polarised cell type of the animal body is the epithelial cell. Epithelial cells need to establish functionally distinct apical and basolateral domains to form the epithelial tissues that cover the exterior surfaces of our body and line the surfaces of our organs. Loss of epithelial polarity contributes to epithelial diseases like polycystic kidney disease and retinal dystrophies and contributes to the formation of invasive tumors.

In this PhD position you will use the intestine of the nematode C. elegans as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms that underly the polarisation of epithelial cells and morphogenesis of tubular organs. Your project will involve the characterisation of candidate regulators of intestinal cell polarity identified in protein interaction mapping approaches, as well as an investigation of the role of the apical intermediate filament layer in regulating intestinal lumen morphology.

Understanding the mechanisms underpinning developmental morphogenesis processes can be greatly aided by combining experimental research with computational modelling approaches. Therefore, you will collaborate with computational biologists in the Ten Tusscher group in the Theoretical Biology division, who will establish computational models of intestinal morphogenesis that can be used to validate and guide experimentation.

The position offered includes research as well as teaching. Primarily, you will assist in the course ‘Molecular and Genetic Research Techniques’ once a year for 4 years. Given the size of the teaching task, this position is offered for 5 years instead of the regular 4 years. We offer the opportunity to take significant steps towards acquiring a basic teaching qualification (BKO), which qualifies you as a teacher in the Dutch higher education system.

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biology, if you are within a few months of completing your MSc degree, we also welcome you to apply! Please indicate in your application letter when you are likely to graduate.
• A strong background in at least one but preferentially two of the following areas: Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, or Molecular Biology.
• A strong interest in performing in vivo studies in C. elegans.
• An interest in collaborating with theoretical biologists who model developmental processes.
• Affinity with education.

• A position for 5 years, in which you will have teaching tasks in addition to your research.
• A full-time gross salary starting at €2,541 and increasing to €3,247 (scale P Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities).
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

For more information, please visit working at the Faculty of Science. 

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our informal atmosphere and the can-do mentality of our people. This lively and inspiring academic environment attracts professors, researchers and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the University and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.

At the Faculty of Science, there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

You will work in the group of Prof. Mike Boxem in the Developmental Biology division. The Boxem group works closely together and shares lab space with the groups of Prof. Sander van den Heuvel, and Dr. Suzan Ruijtenberg, who also primarily use C. elegans as a model system, as well as with the group of Dr. Saskia Suijkerbuijk. Finally, you will collaborate with the Computational Developmental Biology group of Prof. Kirsten ten Tusscher in the Theoretical Biology group. You will therefore be part of an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of researchers that share many common interests and approaches.