Do you have a PhD in neuroscience and experience in molecular biology and cell structure? Then investigate how synapses form, function and can be maintained as a postdoc. Your research will focus on the molecular events that underlie these processes, and how impairments in these processes can lead to disease. You will work in a group within a world-class neuroscience institute with a lively and interactive culture.

Synapses in the brain live for months or even years. Their protein components, however, become dysfunctional after much shorter periods and therefore have to be removed continuously. Pathways for removing these damaged proteins include the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy and the endo-lysosomal system. We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to investigate degradative mechanisms at presynapses, the role of the endo-lysosomal pathway in particular. We are also recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to map early dysfunction of neurons in Parkinson's disease. The postdoctoral researcher will investigate how alpha-synuclein aggregation in axons and synapses can disturb neurotransmission.

Our main model systems are primary rodent neuron cultures and human iPSC-derived neurons. As a postdoctoral researcher you will work independently on one or two projects. You will collaborate with and supervise PhD and Master's students. You will get some exposure to teaching, but only to a minor extent. In the long run, the development of an independent research project that can be transferred to a future position is possible and encouraged.

• You have a PhD in neuroscience or a related discipline and a strong track record of accomplishment.
• Experience in molecular biology (cloning etc.) and cell culture is expected.
• Experience in iPSC-derived neuronal culturing is a plus.
• We are a dynamic international lab, so a good command of English is essential.
• You are a good team player.

Fixed-term contract: It concerns a temporary employment for 2-3 years.

• It concerns an employment for 0.9 - 1.0 FTE.
• The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €2,960 and a maximum of €4,670 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 10).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for 2-3 years.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Lab aims to understand how membrane trafficking events and organelles contribute to synapse function. Marijn Kuijpers is a junior group leader known for her work on neuronal membrane trafficking and autophagy (recent publications: Kuijpers et al (2021) Neuron 109,299-313; doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.005, Kuijpers (2022) Neuronal Signal 6; doi.org/10.1042/NS20210063)). The research group is part of the Donders Institute, a world-class neuroscience institute with a lively and interactive culture.



Radboud University


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