Your challenge

As a postdoc your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• To perform cutting edge high-throughput functional screens on HPV-transformed cells using miRNA mimics and CRISPR/Cas9 technology;
• To study the functional consequences of identified miRNAs and target genes in various in vitro models;
• Data analysis and interpretation;
• Writing of manuscripts and grant applications;
• Presentation of data and communication with research partners;
• Depending on your experience you may co-supervise PhD students and participate in teaching activities.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher with:

• A PhD degree in Medicine/Biomedical Sciences, with affinity for translational cancer research;
• Experience with functional genomics and CRISPR/Cas9 technology;
• Experience in molecular biology and cell biology;
• Experience and affinity with data analysis and biostatistics;
• A flexible and independent attitude, able to combine various methods and analytical technologies;
• Outstanding theoretical and experimental research skills, are well-organized and result-driven with a strong team spirit;
• A strong command of (scientific) English in speech and writing is essential, proven by publications in international journals and presentations at international meetings.

Salary Scale 10: 2659 tot 4216 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).

Apart from an excellent salary we also offfer an 8.3% year-end bonus and 8% holiday pay. For more information see our working conditions on the website .

For Dutch citizens it is mandatory to provide a VOG (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag).

VU University Medical Center (VUmc)

VU University Medical Center was founded on 1 January 2001. It was created by the integration of the VU hospital, which opened in 1966, and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Medicine, which was founded in 1950. The history of medical science at VU Amsterdam stretches back to the beginning of the last century. The motto adopted by the VU hospital was 'Medicina Miseriacordiae Ministra' (medicine is the servant of mercy). This motto characterizes the Christian tradition from which the VU hospital sprang. Its priorities are human dignity and respectful treatment.

http://www.vumc.nl/

the Molecular Pathology research group

Within Cancer Cancer Amsterdam the Molecular Pathology research group is one of the world’s leading translational research groups in the area of human papillomavirus (HPV) induced carcinogenesis (www.hpvstudies.nl). Our research aims to unravel the molecular pathogenesis of HPV-induced cancer using cutting edge technologies. The gained molecular knowledge is translated into clinically applicable biomarker tests for (early) cancer detection and improving outcomes.

For a project recently granted by the Dutch Cancer Society we are looking for a talented and enthousiastic postdoc. The project is dedicated to obtain important basic insights into the molecular origin of anchorage-independent growth, which particularly reflects the transition of precancerous lesions to invasive cancer. By functional genomics miRNAs and their mRNA targets involved in acquisition of anchorage-independent growth will be characterized using a unique in vitro model system of HPV-containing keratinocytes. For genome-wide miRNA mimic screens we have developed and validated a novel methodology on ultra-low attachment surface culture plates. The biologically relevant mRNA targets will be identified by a CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screen. Upon data analysis supported by the Epidemiology and Biostatistics department, functional validation experiments will be conducted. The miRNAs and mRNA targets regulating anchorage independent growth are expected to provide diagnostic biomarkers for early cancer detection and treatment.