Radboudumc offers a position for a highly proactive senior scientist to exploit its iPSC-derived tissue models for therapy testing in rare diseases. The scientist is supported by a research technician and will collaborate with other researchers to further develop this field. The senior researcher will be nominated for a Staff Scientist position at a later stage.

Radboudumc aims to accelerate the development of therapies for rare diseases by bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical science. The 'National Sectorplan Medical Sciences' provides funding for 13 structural positions to foster research and education in this field.

One of the key aspects is the development of organ-on-chip models derived from patients for therapy testing. Currently, we have advanced human stem cell-derived 2D models and organoids that are used for innovative physiological investigations, such as radiotracer and electrolyte transport in kidney organoids, neural network activity by microelectrode arrays, and muscle strength-on-a-dish. Omics technologies are also a strong focus point at Radboudumc, which we harness for the identification of aberrant molecular pathways that can be targeted for therapy by drug repurposing. Additionally, omics technologies provide molecular readouts and potential biomarkers to assess treatment effects, including genetic therapies for rare genetic disorders involving a variety of tissues, such as muscle, eye, brain, and kidney.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Standardize protocols for evaluation of (genetic forms of) therapy in organ-on-chip models, in collaboration with Radboudumc researchers.
• Integrate Radboudumc’s omics technologies with existing and (future) novel tissue models in collaboration with the Omics technology platform.
• Contribute to development of novel guidelines for testing drug efficacy and safety in stem cell models.
• Generate an attractive portfolio of available disease models for (contract research) collaborations on therapy development.
• Organize Radboudumc network on rare disease models.
• Represent Radboudumc organ-on-chip technology in external networks (such as hDMT).
• Actively contribute to a Radboudumc community on (rare) disease therapies and drug repurposing.

Please upload a motivation letter, your curriculum vitae and the sectorplan application form that applies to your position. This form will guide you through some questions that are relevant for the selection.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated senior scientist (PhD) with a strong track record in organ-on-chip models and testing of therapies. Strong collaborative and networking skills are essential for this position. You should have strong organizational skills to coordinate research activities.

Besides this your have preferred qualifications on rare diseases and/or therapy development. Knowledge and experience in the application of omics technologies is also preferred.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year with a possible extension.

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.

• Salary depends on knowledge and experience. The scaling will be in scale 11 (maximum € 6.717) gross per month on the basis of full employment.
• From 1 November 2023 the wages will increase by 4%.
• 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.
• We provide annual courses, both professional and personal.

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

As part of the team that will implement the goals of the 'Sectorplan Medical Sciences' you contribute directly to attaining the strategic research goals of Radboudumc. The sectorplan is structural funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) to enhance research and education in medical and health sciences, including attractive working conditions (such as permanent contracts and reduced work pressure) and enhancing collaboration and profiling of the university medical centers. The sectorplan focuses on three main themes: Prevention, Data-driven innovation, and Disease mechanisms & new therapies. The theme "Disease mechanisms & new therapies" will focus on accelerating therapy development for rare diseases. This will be done by improving preclinical and clinical infrastructure.

Radboudumc has a strong track record in curiosity-driven research with translational impact. Academic patient care is integrated with innovative research and education with a person-centered focus. A prototypical example of personalized medicine within the care domain involves the strong development and positioning of Radboudumc Centers of Expertise for rare diseases. The highly specialized and complex care of rare disease patients is an essential and intrinsic part of our university medical center given our central position in society and the care landscape. Given the fact that approximately 6% of the population is suffering from a rare disease, the vast majority of which lacks a causative treatment, the development and implementation of novel therapies is an important academic responsibility as well.

Innovations in genomic technologies have drastically increased the number of diagnosed patients with rare genetic diseases, which allows for the rational design of novel treatments based on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, improved patient stratification offers novel possibilities for targeted and individualized treatments, for example by using cell-based therapies in rare hemato-oncological diseases.

You will be appointed at the Department of Human Genetics, a leading center for medical care and research of genetic and metabolic disorders. The Genetics departments of the Radboud university medical center and the Clinical Genetics department of Maastricht MUMC+ are currently integrated in the Academic Alliance Genetics (AAG). With this alliance, one of the largest and most successful genetic centers in the Netherlands and in the world has been formed.

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 health and 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