We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate for the VHH-MARS project. The VHH-MARS project (VHH-Mediated targeting of osteoarthritic Synovium) is a public-private partnership funded by ReumaNederland and Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (LSH; Health~Holland)

Preferred starting date May 2024

Wat ga je doen?
For the project, Utrecht University, Orthros Medical, and University of Twente join forces to develop a drug delivery platform to deliver RNA therapeutics in a targeted manner for the eventual treatment of inflamed joints, an important hallmark of the disease osteoarthritis. In this project, we will test developed drug delivery platform on joint cells and tissue in the lab, whereafter a translational study will be conducted to demonstrate proof of concept. test it on joint cells and tissues The ultimate aim this local treatment is to harness joint inflammation and reduce the pain hampering daily life activities of millions of dog and human patients.

You will be working in the Regenerative Orthopedics research group (www.regenerativeorthopedics.nl) headed by Prof. Tryfonidou (https://regenerativeorthopedics.nl/marianna-tryfonidou/). Your daily supervisor will be dr. Lizette Utomo (https://regenerativeorthopedics.nl/lizette-utomo-phd-scientific-project-research-manager/). Our research group is embedded in the Regenerative Medicine Utrecht collaboration (https://rmutrecht.org/) and housed at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht within the Hubrecht Institute. You will be closely working together with our collaborators at University of Twente (Prof. Marcel Karperien and dr. Bram Zoetebier) and Orthros Medical (dr. Michelle Koerselman and dr. Jan Hendriks). You are also expected to co-supervise, together with your daily supervisor, BSc and MSc students in their thesis assignments.

• MSc degree in Life Sciences (e.g., Biomedical Sciences, Technical Medicine), human medicine, or veterinary medicine.
• Excellence in academic excellence in research, demonstrated by an outstanding master research thesis and research projects.
• Biomolecular and biochemical analysis, cell/tissue culture skills are prerequisites.
• Willingness to conduct an experiment with small laboratory animals (rats) and willingness to work with cadaveric materials.
• Curious, pro-active, and organized.
• You work well in a team and independently.
• excellent English written and oral communication skills

• a full time position for one year, with an extension to a total of 3,5 years upon successful assessment;
• a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. Furthermore the faculty delivers expert clinical care at the University Animal Hospital. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students. It is located at the Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

Clinical Sciences
At the Department of Clinical Sciences, you will work alongside approximately 150 veterinarians and a similar number of support staff. Approximately two-thirds of the veterinarians are specialists in various disciplines; the remaining one-third consists of interns, residents and PhD students. Together we are responsible for the education of veterinary students, provision of clinical services to horses and companion animals, and both clinical and more fundamental research in the areas of regenerative medicine, locomotion, genetics and reproduction