We are looking for two PhD candidates. As a PhD candidate, your main tasks and responsibilities are:

• to formulate and characterize different types of liposomes containing tumor antigens and/or adjuvants;
• to determine the binding and uptake of liposomes by human and mouse immune cells;
• to investigate the liposomes for their capacity to activate the complement system;
• to determine the activity of liposomes to activate anti-cancer immune responses in mouse models;
• to complete your research with a PhD thesis and degree.

We are looking for two highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers with:

• a Master degree in Pharmaceutical and/or Biomedical Sciences, with affinity for Immunology;
• experience with cellular responses, liposomes or other drug delivery systems and preferably animal studies (article9);
• a flexible, pro-active team spirit but you can also work independently;
• excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

We offer two temporary positions (each 1.0 FTE) for one year, which will be prolonged with three years after evaluation. The PhD positions are each for four years and are supported through a ZoNMw TOP grant. The intended start date for the project is July 1st 2019. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €2,357 and €3,020 gross per month for a full-time employment (according to the Collective Labour Agreement University Medical Centres and based on a full time working week of 36 hours and depending on qualifications and experience). Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. For more information about our fringe benefits, please visit: www.werkenbijvumc.nl/vumc/arbeidsvoorwaarden/ (Dutch version) and www.werkenbijamc.nl/arbeidsvoorwaarden/.

The two candidates will be working either at the Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc) or the UU in an international, multidisciplinary team with young and enthusiastic researchers. The project is a joint research program between the group of Dr. Joke den Haan (department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology at Amsterdam UMC location VUmc) and the group of Prof. dr. Gert Storm (department of Pharmaceutics, UU). One PhD candidate will work at the VUmc location and the other will work at the UU location. Both candidates will very closely interact in order to generate liposome-based vaccines that can be applied as a vaccination to treat cancer.

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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Science consists of six Departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 6,500 students and nearly 1,500 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society. Read the overall impression 2016 of the Faculty of Science.

Research within the departments Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (VUmc) and Pharmaceutics (UU) is performed in a stimulating environment and at an international high competitive level. The focus is on nanomedicines and immunology. The group of Joke den Haan investigates the functions of macrophages and dendritic cells in the immune system and aims to develop cancer vaccines that target tumor antigens to these cells. The research group of Gert Storm develops new nanomedicines for the treatment of several types of diseases. You will be working in team with young and enthusiastic researchers.