Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory disorder, characterized by chronic neuro-inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration. Current immune-modulating therapies are quite effective in reducing relapses, but unfortunately they only have a minor effect on disease progression and display various unwanted side-effects (e.g. immunosuppression). Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative approaches that not only interfere with chronic neuro-inflammation, but also boost local tissue recovery (resolution).

The resolution process is orchestrated by bio-active lipid mediators (LMs), which are biosynthesized from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids by various enzymes like lipoxygenases (LOX), soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH) and prostaglandin E synthases (mPGES). We recently revealed an imbalance between pro-resolving and pro-inflammatory LM profiles in MS patients, which suggests that the resolution process is dysregulated. Consequently, restoring this balance by targeting such LM biosynthesizing enzymes can therefore be regarded as a novel approach to combat MS, but for that we first need to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms.

You will study inflammation-resolving mechanisms, define lipid mediator signatures in body fluids and brain tissues of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, to ultimately pave the way for MS patient stratification (diagnosis) and design novel resolution-inducing therapies to combat MS. As a PhD student, your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• Integrating metabolomics data to define lipid mediator signatures in human MS tissues and body fluids in all disease stages of MS;
• Unravel the underlying mechanism of action and validate new targets by using human in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo rodent models for MS;
• Using state-of-the-art lipidomics and mass spectrometry imaging techniques and will apply bioinformatics to analyze the data.

• A Master’s degree in a field related to biochemistry, biomedical sciences, neuroscience and/or immunology, bioinformatics;
• Affinity for biochemistry, neuro-immunology, neuroscience and cell biology;
• Interest in high-dimensional technologies and pushing the boundaries of research through technology-driven applications;
• Experience with animal experiments (article 9 qualified), high-dimensional data analysis and biostatistics is a plus;
• Experience with imaging analyses, immunohistochemistry and in vitro models using iPSC technology is a plus;
• A flexible, pro-active team spirit but you can also work independently;
• Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for personal development with a wide range of training & development of academic skills
• Working on large-scale and own research, with motivated colleagues.
• A contract for the duration of the training program. We first offer a fixed term contract for 1 year, which under normal circumstances will be prolonged with 3 years for a total duration of 4 years.
  
  • The intended start date for the project is October 1st 2024.
• Placement in salary scale OIO: € 3.017 (1st year) to € 3.824 (4th year) gross based on a full-time employment. Additionally, you will receive, among other things, an 8.3% year-end bonus and 8% holiday allowance. Calculate your net salary here.
• Vacation hours: 186,4 per year and an option to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• Now still a (partial) reimbursement of your public transport travel costs. From 1 October, for >7 km each way, 100% public transport reimbursement and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. And from 1 October, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Amsterdam UMC

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

This translational project incorporates fundamental research questions as well as translational applications in in vivo models, human in vitro models and analysis of MS patient material with the ultimate goal to translate our findings to the clinic. This project will be performed at Amsterdam UMC, primarily in the resolution of neuro-inflammation research group of dr. Gijs Kooij (within the Neuro-immunology research group of prof.dr. Elga de Vries) in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (location VUmc; O|2 Lab Building) in collaboration with an industrial partner (Evias Pharmaceuticals, Turkey).

You will be situated in Amsterdam where you will work in a team with young and enthusiastic researchers (around 30), who have expertise in immunology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, cell biology, neuroscience and neurological diseases. Research within the department Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (VUmc) is performed in a stimulating environment and at an international high competitive level. The collaborative project is funded by an PPP-TKI grant (BEAT-MS) and embedded in the following research institutes: Amsterdam Neuroscience and Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases.

Recent publications
For background information, you can find some recent relevant publications on PubMed. Check out the following articles: 24899309, 31780628, 37290971, 34077725.