Become part of the new research consortium IMAGINE! (Innovative Microscopy And Guidance of cells In their Native Environment). Our programme aims to transform cell biology by developing and applying advanced microscopy and real-time molecular manipulation techniques to study cells in their natural complexity and diversity. The consortium will form a unique and highly interdisciplinary team that combines cell, organoid, and tissue biology, as well as chemical and optical cell manipulation to study cell behaviour in development, cancer, and targeted drug delivery.

This position is one of many PhD and postdoc positions available as part of the gravitational programme IMAGINE! (Innovative Microscopy And Guidance of cells In their Native Environment). IMAGINE! is an interdisciplinary programme combining cell, organoid, and tissue biology, as well as chemical and optical cell manipulation and analysis to study cell behaviour in development and cancer, and targeted drug delivery. Participating institutes are based throughout the Netherlands in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Nijmegen, and Eindhoven. For more information on the individual positions, please visit our website.

Background
Immunotherapy using antibodies targeting the cell surface has led to important clinical advances in patients with cancer. Still, clinical responses of antibody-based therapies are limited to approximately 20-30% of cancer patients even in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. One of the major scientific challenges in the oncology field is to increase our understanding of the mechanisms driving tumour cell escape from therapeutic antibodies. We discovered that tumour cells contain altered membrane protein organisation compared to healthy cells.

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate membrane protein organization in tumour cells and their healthy counterparts. You will study the molecular effects of therapeutic antibodies that target membrane proteins on tumour cells using advanced imaging technologies. You will focus on antibody (-drug conjugates) targeting 4-transmembrane proteins (CD20, CD37) on lymphoma. Stable fluorescently labelled antibodies will be generated that allow imaging of antibody binding at super-resolution level (STORM and expansion microscopy) in healthy cells and lymphoma cells.

Effects on downstream signalling and the cytoskeleton will be performed in collaboration with the Akhmanova lab. Effects in 3D cell models (organoids) will be established in collaboration with Maurice/Snippert lab, and therapeutic antibodies will be investigated in lymphoma mouse models using intravital imaging in collaboration with the Friedl/van Rheenen labs. This project will provide more insight into the working mechanisms of therapeutic antibodies targeting cancer, and into protein organisation in the plasma membrane of healthy versus tumour cells.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative candidate to join us in this unique project. We would like you to bring:

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences/ biology/ biochemistry (or equivalent).
• A background in: Cell Biology, Microscopy, Immunology.
• You are highly motivated and creative.
• An interest to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
• Your skill set: problem solving, analytical thinking, fluent in English.

If you feel that this role is the perfect match, but you do not yet meet all the qualifications, we also welcome you to apply

If you are interested in several positions of IMAGINE! we encourage you to apply for multiple positions (please indicate this by including the job title(s) and associated institute(s) in your application letter). Data Privacy note: Applications will be shared between participating institutes of IMAGINE! for the purpose and the duration of the recruitment process.

We highly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to apply. We strive to create an open, diverse, and inclusive work environment for everyone. People of any gender identity, ethnicity or sexual orientation are welcome.

If this specific opportunity isn't for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Working at Radboud university medical center means that you are ahead of the curve and working together on the healthcare of the future. And there is more. Our secondary terms of employment are impressive. These are fully tailored to you thanks to our Employment Conditions Selection Model. At Radboud university medical center, you will be given trust, and you will take the responsibility to handle everything together. We provide annual courses, both professional and personal.

• A gross monthly salary between € 2.631 and € 3.336 (scale 10A ) based on full-time employment.
• An annual vacation allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• If you work irregular hours, you will receive an allowance.
• As a full-time employee (36 hours per week), you are entitled to approximately 168 vacation hours (over 23 days) per year.
• Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. You pay the rest of the premium with your gross salary.
• You get a discount on health insurance as well: you can take advantage of two group health insurance plans. UMC Zorgverzekering and CZ collectief.

In addition to our terms of employment, we also offer employees various other attractive facilities, such as childcare and sports facilities. Want to learn more? Take a look at the Cao UMC.

Radboudumc

You will be embedded in the Department of Tumour Immunology at the Radboudumc Nijmegen. The department of Tumour Immunology aims at a better understanding of our immune system using molecular-, cell biological- and immunological- techniques and is centred around dendritic cells and lymphocytes which are key cells in anti-tumour immunity. Our multidisciplinary Department combines fundamental with translational research, including different clinical trials of dendritic cell immunotherapy in cancer patients.

We are embedded within the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), a leading European research school that provides an outstanding, multi-cultural and thriving research setting within the Radboud University Medical Centre. RIMLS state-of-the-art facilities are provided through technology platforms including advanced imaging, flow cytometry and proteomics. Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands with a vibrant university culture.

RIMLS main aim is to achieve a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease. By integrating fundamental and clinical research, we obtain multifaceted knowledge of (patho)physiological processes. We aim to improve clinical practice and public health by:

• generating basic knowledge in the molecular medical science
• translating our gained knowledge into clinical applications, and into diagnostic, therapeutic and personalized treatment strategies
• training and exposing researchers of all levels to societal-relevant multidisciplinary research questions along the theme of understanding the molecular basis of disease.

Research domains and themes
The RIMLS accommodates research groups from the Radboudumc and Radboud University's Faculty of Science. RIMLS aims to advance innovation in translational research, based on integrating diverse areas of scientific expertise within the molecular and medical sciences. In line with the Radboudumc's strategic vision to have a significant impact on healthcare, research is bundled into disease-oriented research themes from molecule-to-man in which we collaborate with the Radboud Institute for Health Sciences.

Radboudumc
Radboud university medical center is a university medical center for patient care, scientific research, and education in Nijmegen. Radboud university medical center strives to be at the forefront of shaping the healthcare of the future. We do this in a person-centered and innovative way, and in close collaboration with our network. We want to have a significant impact on healthcare. We want to improve with each passing day, continuously working towards better healthcare, research, and education. And gaining a better understanding of how diseases arise and how we can prevent, treat, and cure them, day in and day out. This way, every patient always receives the best healthcare, now and in the future. Because that is why we do what we do.

Read more about our strategy and what working at Radboud university medical center means. Our colleagues would be happy to tell you about it. #weareradboudumc