Location: Utrecht
Max hours per week: 38,00
Max salary: €3.539
Duration of agreement: 1 year (extension for 3 years after positive evaluation)
Apply until: 06/01/2024

Information
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for the production and replenishment of all blood cell types throughout life. How HSCs are formed and acquire their stem cell properties, i.e. self-renewal and multipotency, has inspired scientists and clinicians for many decades, leading to life-saving medical treatments, such as HSC transplantation. The adult HSC identity is already specified in the embryo, where concomitant with the initiation of the heartbeat, some

endothelial cells embedded in the wall of the aorta gain a hemogenic potential, allowing these cells to transdifferentiate to acquire an HSC fate. Despite intensive research efforts, basic questions on HSC emergence and regulation remain unanswered.

This project will explore the fundamental requirement to regulate HSC production by the transcription factor Gata2 both in vivo (in zebrafish models) and in vitro. Different cellular and molecular experimental approaches will be used, including cell culture, western blot, cloning, PCR, Crispr-cas9, live imaging in zebrafish embryos, FACS . The overall goal of this innovative project is to explore how different mutations reported in childhood patients (i) affect the function of GATA2 at the molecular level, (ii) predispose to MDS/AML (onset and progression of aberrant hematopoiesis) and (iii) impact the treatment response in vivo.

We are looking for an outstanding and ambitious candidate, with a strong background in cellular/molecular biology and/or developmental biology/hematopoiesis. Candidates should have obtained their master, are expected to be able to work independently and in teams, and have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. The candidate should be passionate about biology, curiosity-driven, and be motivated to work hard in an ambitious, multidisciplinary, and international research team. The ability to work with animal (zebrafish) is required for the project and having already an Art.9 or any licence to work with animals would be a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year (extension for 3 years after positive evaluation).

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 2.770,- and the maximum salary is € 3.539,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Hubrecht Institute

The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focusing on developmental and stem cell biology. At the institute, more than 20 research groups perform fundamental and multidisciplinary research, both in healthy systems and disease models. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and is located on the Utrecht Science Park 'De Uithof'. Since 2008, the institute has been affiliated with the University Medical Center Utrecht, advancing the translation of research into clinical practice. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.