Our group aims to attain broader relevance of CAR-T cell therapy through improvement of tumor targeting and tumor elimination, overcoming resistance, minimization of off-tumor toxicity and expansion of the availability across histocompatibility barriers. We use iPSCs as an unlimited source of off-the-shelf CAR-T cells and have developed a unique expertise in iPSC differentiation towards the lymphoid lineage.

In this project we aim to develop the technological tools for efficient and clinically compatible production of next generation, multi-engineered, effective, off-the-shelf iPSC-derived CAR-T cells. We envision that the success of our research will lay foundation for translation to clinical studies towards more effective, safer and broader application of CAR-T cells.

You will work in a dedicated team of postdocs, PhD students and technicians and you will be supervised by an expert in the field of CAR-T cell therapy, furthermore:

• You will be mainly working in a BSL-II tissue culture laboratory and your main activities will be: culturing of iPSC and other cell lines, production of viral vectors, appling protocols for directed differentiation of iPSC, culture of primary T cells and transduction for the generation of CAR-T cells;
• You will employ gene-editing methodologies (CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN);
• You will be performing molecular cloning and generating new plasmid vector constructs;
• You will be performing multi-color flow cytometry.

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic research technician at HLO level diploma, preferably with experience in immunology and cell biology;
• Affinity and demonstrable skills for cell culture (especially experience with pluripotent stem cells), flow cytometry, molecular cloning, will be taken in consideration with high priority;
• Animal (mouse) experiment experience is a plus;
• You can work independently but also as part of a team;
• You have good documentation and communication skills, you can give and receive feedback;
• Sufficient flexibility to work with somewhat irregular times if needed.

• We offer an initial contract for 1 year that can be extended (after evaluation) for another 4 years.
• Salary Scale 7M: 2.975 tot 4.214 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).
• Additional benefits include an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay.
• The opportunity to follow further training and development.
• Pension is accrued at the ABP. VUmc contributes a large part of the premium (70%).
• In addition to excellent accessibility by public transport, we reimburse 75% of your OV travel costs (commuting costs).
• For more information about our employment conditions, please visit our website.

Amsterdam UMC

The department of Hematology of Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, is one of the biggest Hematological Centers in the Netherlands. As part of the Cancer center Amsterdam (CCA), one of the five Amsterdam UMC research Institutes, the department is known for its high quality translational research aiming at the improvement of survival chances for patients with leukemia and multiple myeloma.

You will be working in a collaborative environment consisting of hematologists, experienced scientific staff, medical and non-medical researchers in training and experienced technicians. The immunotherapy program of the department aims to develop and translate novel immunotherapeutic strategies for multiple myeloma (MM) and other hematological malignancies such as AML, MDS and lymphoma. Among the strategies investigated is the adoptive cell therapy with CAR-T cells and pursue to translate our findings into clinical applications.