Are you fascinated by the way epigenetic gene regulation instructs cell and tissue performance, and how epigenetic aberrations are associated with ageing and disease development? Then the position as Postdoctoral Researcher in epigenetic editing using the CRISPR/Cas platform to study epigenetic reprogramming in (breast cancer) cell lines might suit you and we would be happy to discuss this with you.

With the Epi-Guide-Edit consortium funded by theNWO Key Technology call we aim to develop and apply the rules and tools for durable epigenetic editing as a key technology across different applications including health, medical and agricultural implementation.

This position is embedded in the group of the program coordinator, Prof. dr. Pernette Verschure, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences and the Dept. of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), NL. We study epigenetic dynamics, to understand how cell-to-cell variability in epigenetics and transcription timing control cell responsiveness. We have ample experience in the single cell advanced, super resolution quantitative microscopy, epigenetic engineering tools, epigenetic biochemical genome-wide read-outs and computational analysis.

What are you going to do?

You will play a central role in predicting which genes respond to induced epigenetic changes. You will apply state-of-the-art in silico tools to identify from single cell resolution pooled epigenetic CRISPR/dCas screens the ground rules of sustained changes in gene functioning with a hit-and-run epigenetic editing approach.

For data analysis and simulation you will work closely together with Dr. Perry Moerland, Bioinformatics Lab, Dept. of Epidemiology and Data Science, AUMC, UvA, NL and Dr. Remco Loos, Informatics & Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Spain.

Tasks and responsibilities

• assist in producing the experimental data;
• performing analysis of (single cell) epigenomic, transcriptomic and CROP-seq data;
• create data analysis tools to predict the rules for persistent epigenetic editing;
• decipher the influence of transcriptional bursting on permissiveness of epigenetic editing by transient transcriptome-sequencing and

single molecule RNA-FISH;

• engage and collaborate with the various (commercial) stakeholders in the Epi-Guide-Edit consortium.

You are passionate about science and you have a particular interest in epigenetics, gene regulation and epigenetic engineering. You feel comfortable using bioinformatics tools, computational analysis, data prediction and large data sets and you are able to discuss your results in different (inter)national meetings. You are problem-solving and have a creative mind and enjoy being part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists.

Your experience and profile

• a PhD in Cell, Molecular Biology, Life Sciences, Genetics, focus on Bioinformatics or Computational biology;
• demonstrated skills in data analysis, bioinformatics and computational analysis using R, MATLAB, Python or Bash,

preferably of single cell RNA-seq data;

• demonstrated experimental experience with (single cell) -omics approaches, e.g. RNA-seq and pooled CRISPR screens;
• a solid publication track record and contributions to online depositories such as GEO or GitHub;
• professional communications skills, both oral and written in English.

A temporary employment contract for 0.8 fte for 12 months, which will be extended with an additional three years upon satisfactory performance. The preferred starting date is March 1st 2023.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week (1.0 fte) and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,960 to € 4,670 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
• multiple courses on topics such as time management and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is one of the Faculty of Science's largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research centred on four themes: Neurosciences, Cell & Systems Biology, Green Life Sciences and Microbiology.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.